BY ALEX. G. HAMILTON. 23 



of the anthers, and wither as the anthers do. The other is the 

 rudimentary petal or labellum folded down the sides of the tube. 

 The two horns on this are manifestly homologues of the coronal 

 projections on the ordinary petals. As the column in its ordinary 

 position lies between these horns, they may be guides to lead it 

 into its proper place as it returns after action. But on several 

 occa.sions I saw the style get outside the horns. 



I was not able to try the effect of chloroform vapour on the 

 plants ; tobacco smoke did not affect the column in the slightest 

 either way. Dai-win's experiments on Orchids seem to show that 

 the vapour of chloroform is inert as regards sensitive organs of 

 plants. 



The plants are gregarious, which must be a decided advantage 

 to them as insect-fertilised. I collected some specimens remark- 

 able for size and number of flowers. Three were specially fine. 

 No. 1 was 3 feet 5 inches high and had 70 flowers, 36 fertilised 

 and capsules swelled, two with withered and empty capsules, 13 

 open flowers and 19 buds. No. 2 : 2 feet 9 inches high, with 52 

 flowers, 10 fertilised, 23 open flowers and 19 buds. No. 3: 2 

 feet 6 inches high, 50 flowers, 16 fertilised, 20 open flowers and 

 14 buds. 



In conclusion I would draw the attention of members who have 

 facilities for laboratory work, to the interest which would attach 

 to a series of sections, transverse and longitudinal, of the column, 

 especially of the hinged part, which is the seat of irritability, and 

 which shows, outwardly at least, a differentiation of structure in 

 the presence of strongly coloured ridges across the column. 



REFERENCE kS TO PLATE II. 



Clerodendron t07nentosum, R.Br. 

 Fig. 1. — Flower in first or male stage ; a, anthers, s, stigma unopened ( x 2). 

 Fig. 2. — Flower in second or female stage ; a, anthers curled out of way, 

 ■s, stigma in position and open ( x 2). 



