TRANSLATIONS. 
On the Conrractite Fitaments of the Cynarua (Thistle 
Tribe). By Dr. F. Coun. 
(From the ‘ Zeitsch. f. Wissensch. Zool.,’ xii, p. 366.) 
Tuer following observations are contained in a letter in 
the above Periodical addressed to Professor Von Siebold. 
After referring to the circumstance that he had already on 
a previous occasion noticed, in a communication to the same 
correspondent, the most important facts relating to the con- 
tractile filaments in plants belonging to the thistle tribe, 
Professor Cohn proceeds to remark that in the Cynarez the 
five filaments are inserted into the tube of the corolla, and 
support at their extremities the anthers which, as in all the 
Composite, are conjoined into a complete tube. 
At the time of flowering, this anther-tube is closed at the 
end, and envelopes the pistil which arises at the base of the 
corolla from the inferior ovary. 
At this period the anther-tube rises about 4 mm. above 
the summit of the corolla. When touched, pollen-masses are 
extruded from its apex, and at the same time the tube 
exhibits a peculiar twisting movement. 
After about five minutes the experiment can be repeated ; 
the pollen is again forced out of the tube, and the twisting 
movement will be again witnessed. 
Gradually, however, the pistil rises above the summit of 
the anther-tube, and in proportion as it does so the irrita- 
bility diminishes, until at length, when the stigma projects 
4—5 mm. beyond the anther-tube, that property ceases to 
be manifested at all. 
But it is not till this time, when its lobes begin to divari- 
cate, that the stigma becomes capable of impregnation. 
In general, not more than twenty-four hours at most elapse 
from the beginning to the cessation of the irritability, and 
frequently the space of time during which it exists is still 
shorter. 
