— 105 — 



plants under experiment were in all probability derived from 

 one source, and they were characterised by having flowers 

 of the same size and colour. It is thus safe to assume that, 

 while the flowers of a seminal variety continue to exhibit 

 diraorphism, the fruits retain a definite form. If the fruifs 

 are also found to be dimorphic, the complexity of the life- 

 history of Saintpaulia is seriously increased. 



The object of the present enquiry was, primarily, to dis- 

 cover whether the diraorphism of the flowers had any features 

 in common with that obtainingin Wachendorjla (I). It was 

 noted that, in this interesting plant, the whole series of 

 flowers on an inflorescence were either right-handed or left- 

 handed, a very diflerent condition indeed from that of 

 Saintpaulia. The method of fertilization in Wachendorfia 

 was perfectly evident, and the results of artificial fertiliza- 

 tion quite convincing. It is otherwise wiih Saintpaulia, for 

 it may in the meantime be held as almost certain that it is a 

 matter of indifference which of the several possible modes of 

 cross- and sel f- fertilization be foliowed. The conclusion is 

 forced upon one that the right- and left-handedness is due 

 to diflerent causes from those finding expression in the 

 diraorphism of Wachendorfia, 



The fact that the flowers of Saintpaulia remain fresh for 

 a few days, while those of Wachendorfia fade in a few hours, 

 strongly suggests the probability of the fertilization of the 

 latter being rauch less dependent on i accident » . 



Seedlings grown frora purchased seed were studied. The 

 cotyledons (figs. 9-13, cc') are at first of equal size; but, at 



(1) See H. A. v. d. B's résumé of the author's paper (in Trans. Bot. 

 Soc.Edinr., vol. XVIT, p. 73) : On the Dimorphism of Wachendorfia pani- 

 culata, -- Bot. Jaarb., vol. II, 1890, p. 158. 



