[Crown Copyright Reserved. 
ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KEW. 
BULLETIN 
OF 
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 
No. 8] [1916 
XXXIV.—THE EXHALATION OF SCENT BY THE 
FLOWERS OF MICHELIA FUSCATA. 
L. A. BoopbtLe. 
The flowers of Michelia fuscata, Blume (Magnoliaceae), are 
strongly scented at ‘times, their odour being very similar to that 
of amyl acetate. 
Observations have been made by Mr. W. L. Lavender on a 
plant of this species in the Temperate House at Kew, in relation 
to the scent of the flowers, and the results obtained by him are 
given below. 
Flowers were examined on several days, five or six times each 
day from 6.30 a:m.* until 5.30 p.m. The records as to scent are 
set out oc for each day, beginning only at 11.30, because 
scenting of flowers was not ndticel before that time. Notes on 
atmospheric seitttient are added. 
May 1t—Bright at 9.30. May 8t—Bright, 6.30-5.30. 
11.30—Dull, warm Slight scent. 11.30—Slight scent. 
2.30—Bri right... Strong scent. 1.80—Fairly strong. 
p.30— Less strong. 2.30—Strong. 
5,380—Slight. 
May 4—6.30-9.30—Dull, wet. May 5—Bright, 6.30-5,30. 
11.30—Dull No. scent. 11.30—Slight scent. 
: Bos Bright... Slight scent. |  2.30—Strong. 
oe Strong. 5,80—Fairly strong. 
he eet eer 
re experiments were made in the year 1915 and the times are therefore 
norm: 
ta Ges picked off at 6.30 a.m. and ia on paper in a rather warmer 
atmosphere, was strongly scented at 11. 
A flower, picked at are. 30 a.m. and tre sete heexpecnaent® of — Ist, 
was strongly scented at 11.30 a.m., but hed lost all. its scent by 4 
~  (4547.) We. 71-798. 1,125. 10/16. J.T. &8., Ltd. G14. 
