186 NOTES ON PLANTS INDIGENOUS TO SYDNEY, 



instance in which t*he anthers have so separated, although I have 

 watched especially for it from the maturing to the withering of 

 the flower. Even, however, if it should happen in an isolated 

 case, the stigmas would have been so long exposed in a mature 

 state to the visits of insects as to make it more than probable 

 that fertilization by their aid would have been already accom- 

 plished. 



There is often much difficulty experienced in identifying the 

 various species of this genus, as they frequently approach each 

 other very closely — much assistance may, however, be gained by 

 careful inspection of the anthers, as to whether they are all or 

 only a portion of them crested ; and also by closely examining 

 the seeds (which are very small) with a low microscopic power, 

 some species having them smooth ; others with three prominent 

 angles, and some even winged. 



As to the Lobelia as a plant for domestication, I suppose the 

 Amateur Gardener could find none amongst our Australian flora 

 more easy to cultivate — massed together in groups in a bush 

 house or fernery, it has a very beautiful effect. In the summer 

 of 1880 I took home from Manly a small plant of Lobelia 

 gracilis. I did not intend, at the time, to cultivate it, but to dry 

 it for the herbarium, I did not therefore remove it as carefully as 

 I should have done ; the roots, in consequence, being considerably 

 injured. I was however induced to plant it and take the chance 

 of its growing. For a long time it struggled between life and 

 death, till at last, in the spring of the following year, it started 

 into vigorous growth and in a few weeks had become such a 

 beautiful object that friends used to call especially to see it. At 

 one time I counted one hundred and seventy-eight flowers upon 

 it, and yet it was only a plant of sixteen inches in height, and it 

 remained with a succession of flowers in this state all the summer. 



All the species produce seeds in abundance, which may be 

 readily collected in the bush, and there is no difficulty in raising 

 strong healthy plants from them, but the plants must be kept 

 moderately dry, as they are liable, as gardener's say, to "damp off," 

 if unduly watered, 



