74 INTRODUCTION 
inflorescence bears a number of pitcher-shaped nectaries, with their openings 
turned towards the flowers. The fluid contained in these receptacles is sought 
out by insects, which in their turn attract numerous insectivorous birds, many 
species of humming-bird being among them. These touch with their backs the 
pendulous anthers, brush off the pollen, and 
transfer it to the stigma when they visit 
another flower (cf. Fig. ro). 
Another interesting example of the pol- 
lination of flowers by birds, and one that 
brings to mind the way in which Freycinetia 
rewards the bats which transfer pollen, is 
published by Fritz Miiller (Kosmos, i, 1886, 
pp. 93-8);—the flower of Feijoa, a tree 
belonging to the family Myrtaceae, and 
common in the Brazilian highlands, possesses 
fifty to sixty very firm and stiff blood-red 
stamens producing bright yellow pollen, and 
a rigid dark-red style, which tapers above, 
and bears a capitate stigma projecting beyond 
the whorl of stamens. There is no nectary. 
Above the four sepals, which are coloured red 
on the inner side, there are four petals which 
Fic. 10. Marcgravia nepenthoides, See. at first display their coloured outer surfaces. 
peeping “A Wane flower, (After Witt- They increase in diameter from 15 to 25 or 
30mm. Soon they roll up in such a way 
that their coloured outer surfaces are covered, while the dazzling white inner surfaces 
are visible from afar. These rolled petals are fleshy, and have a sweet taste, while 
the young petals before rolling up are either tasteless or acrid. 
Fritz Miiller states that the beautiful flowers of Feijoa are scarcely ever visited by 
bees. On the other hand, according to the observations of Hans Lorenz (Fritz 
Miiller’s grandson, then five years old), the petals, which are rolled together like 
omelettes, ready for a bite, are readily devoured by black and brown birds (probably 
males and females of species of Thamnophilus), which in the process first of all 
come into contact with and pollinate the prominent stigma, and then brush against 
the pollen-covered anthers, thus covering themselves with a fresh supply of pollen. 
E. Ule has made a similar observation regarding a myrtle-like Brazilian shrub: 
the petals, which taste like orange-sugar, are barely 5 mm. long, while the purple-red 
stamens are almost 30 mm. in length. 
Fritz Miiller has observed that humming-birds effect pollination in numerous 
other Brazilian plants, such as species of Salvia, Rubiaceae, &c., and more especially 
also in South Brazilian species of Abutilon— A large and beautiful humming-bird, 
the black breast of which shines like a glowing coal whenever the bird is in any way 
excited,’ writes Fritz Miiller on August 26, 1871, to his brother Hermann, ‘has, 
with his inconspicuous wife, made himself almost completely master of the abutilons 
in my garden, and drives away all other species. All flowers that are not under 
cover are pollinated by him.’ 
