Br E. HA.TILA.ND. G19 



must be, to allow the pollen tubes to penetrate it. Of course, i£ 

 bj accidental circumstances, such as the absence of wind or rain 

 or the visits of insects, the pollen should remain undisturbed on 

 the stigma, till it (the stigma) has matured ; then of a certainty, 

 the plant will be self-fertilised. 



In the case before us, (Tltricularia diclwtoma) nothing could, 

 at first sight, appear more evident than that the shutting up both 

 stamens and pistil in a tube, with the mouth of that tube closed 

 by a special provision {i.e. a provision not common to plants) was 

 intended to prevent the ingress of any pollen bearing insect. We 

 find however, on closer examination (to recapitulate), that one of 

 the lobes of the corolla is extended as a stage, as though to invite 

 insects to alight — that the very act of an insect so alighting, 

 tends to depress the lobe ; or its least attempt to move forward 

 to push asunder the upper and lower sections of the tube ; carry- 

 ing away at the same time the bar closing its entrance. That 

 nectar is secreted at the bottom of the tube to lure the insect on, 

 but that in order to reach it, it must pass close under the low 

 ceiling formed bj the upper portion of the tube. That a portion 

 of this ceiling is lined by the anthers, full of adhesive pollen, 

 facing downwards, so as to touch the back of the insect in its 

 passage. That the stigma is shielded by the anthers from coming 

 into contact with its own pollen. That the corolla falls off, 

 carrying with it the stamens and pollen, before the stigma is 

 mature. I think, that although it would perhaps be unsafe to 

 say that the plant is never self-fertilised ; we may safely admit 

 little more could have been done to ensure cross fertilization. 



Desceiptiox of a new Belideus feom Northern Queensland 



By Charles W. De Vis, B.A. 



Belidefs gracilis. 



Length 10| to 11", ears i", forefoot \\'\ hind IV', tail 11". 



