MEDEOI.A VIRGINICA. INDIAN CUCUMBER. I 59 



are finally recurved. Our species is, therefore, classed in the 

 order Trilliaceo', although in reality it differs but very slightly 

 from the lily family, or Liliaccar, and might in truth be said to 

 occupy a place between the two in the chain of relationship. 

 Some botanists indeed, as Dr. Gray, for instance, class the 

 genus Mcdcola with the LillauYr, while others, among whom is 

 Dr. Chajaman, give it a place in the order of Smilacca. 



The structure of the flower is worthy of attention. There 

 are six stamens, but they evidently form two whorls of three 

 each, although they are all apparently of the same age and 

 strength. But observation will show that the anthers of one set 

 mature their pollen one day before those of the other set, which 

 makes it evident that all the parts of the flower are in threes. 

 The six-jDarted perianth really consists of three sepals and three 

 petals. There is an inferior set of tlirec stamens and a superior 

 one of the same number, and there are three pistils belonging 

 to as many carjDels. 



The manner of fertilization in our species is particularly inter- 

 esting. The anthers of the outer series, as before noted, burst 

 their cells first, and before the pistils of the flower are ready to 

 receive the pollen. If there were insects to carry the pollen 

 to other flowers, there would be a good chance for cross-fertil- 

 ization. The writer, however, has failed to notice any insects 

 at work on the flowers in the wood where his observations were 

 made, nor has he been able to find any pollen on the stigmas 

 until they receive it from the anthers in their own flowers. 

 The way in which this pollen is received is as follows. As 

 already noted, the anthers of the outer series of stamens burst 

 first. Soon afterwards, the pistils curve downwards, so that the 

 stigmas are between the unexpanded anthers of the interior 

 series. When the pollen of these anthers has matured, the pis- 

 tils are, of course, in the best possible position to receive it, and 

 self-fertilization seems extremely easy. It remains to be seen, 

 however, whether this is the rule in all cases, to the total exclu- 

 sion of cross-fertilization, and the subject is, therefore, well 



