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mthers vvere observed to open a little before the flowers did, and to expel 

 .1 large grained glutinous pollen.'' In another place in the same Volume, 

 perhaps in the same connection, (I have mislaid the refeience), he says 

 the pollen is expelled with such force that it often falls on the petals, re- 

 maining upon them when the flower opens. He thought that the tube 

 and not the summit of the pistil was the stigma thus having the idea 

 that the pollen must be introduced into the tube, that the seeds might 

 be fertilized. But Dr. Thos. Meehan, State Botanist of Penn., than 

 whom there is no more reliable or accurate Botanist, savs, (Proc. Am. 

 Ass'n Vol. XXX, p. 205, 1881), that he has in many experiments, made 

 for the purpose during a number of years, easily, and fully fertilized ont- 

 of the dehiscent species of Yucca 'by lightly touching a polleniferous 

 anther to the exposed papillose apex of the stigma." Heconcludes; "the 

 fact is established beyond dispute through these varied observations, ex- 

 tending now over many years that the mere application of pollen to the 

 papillose apex is sufficient for fertilization". Dr. Meehan has since re- 

 peated his observations with the same results and the same conclusion. 

 Dr. Engelmann shews that the pollen is glutinous and lies exposed 

 upon the anther and petals after expulsion. It is certainly more than 

 probable that the glutinous pollen which will adhere to the petal, will 

 adhere to the claws and legs of insects, and if these be found to anv 

 extent in the flowers, extensive accidental fertilization must take place. 

 2nd. While it is true, as Prof. Riley says, the flowers of Yucca do 

 not open till towards evening, I can say positively from personal ob- 

 servation that they very generally remain open till 10 a. m. when not ex- 

 posed to the direct rays of the sun. 



3rd. I can say positively from personal observation, that busines.s 

 hours for honey bees begin long before that time. 



4th. I am thankful that I am able to say I have good eyesight, ami 

 that I have never yet felt the need of glasses of any sort. -\lso 1 am cer- 

 tain I know a honey bee when 1 see it. 



5th. I positively did see honey bees within the open as well the 

 partly open flowers, though quite rarely in the latter. One morning, 

 certainly from five to ten honey bees could be seen at any one time, 

 upon and within the flowers of each cluster of three cir more panicles. 

 The bees were of both the Native and Italian races. 



6th. Other insects were plentiful. Aphides were very numerou> 

 on some of the stems, and many could be seen on the flowers. Cocci- 

 nelidae, certainly from three to twenl), could be seen upon each cluster 

 of panicles. 



