FLOWERS OF THE PROTEACES. 569 
progenitor common to them all. I have no doubt that a large 
number of allied genera, if examined, will be found to possess the 
sensitive stigma, while others may have lost the sensitiveness, 
retaining, however, other characteristics. MHemigraphis colorata 
possesses features in common, but the stigma is altogether differ- 
ently shaped, being composed of two narrow, thread-like pieces, 
the lower being much longer than the upper. The position is the 
same as in M/imulus, and, when touched, the lower piece curves up 
out of the way, after taking up what pollen there may be on the 
insect’s back. 
No. 15.—PECULIARITIES OF THE FLOWERS OF THE 
ORDER PROTEACE. 
By Joun Surrzey, B.Sc. 
(Read, Tuesday, January 11, 1898.) 
In the “Flora Australiensis,” vol. v., p.316, speaking of peculiarities 
in the stigmas of these flowers, Mr. Bentham says: ‘“ The diversi- 
fied mode in which in different genera the conformation of this 
style-end, and its relation to the anthers, promotes the dissemina- 
tion of pollen, whilst it impedes self-fertilisation, upon which I 
have drawn up a few notes for the Linnean Society, founded on 
the examination of dried specimens, would be an interesting study 
for local botanists who have the means of examining and watching 
the plants living in their native stations.” 
The paper to which Bentham refers was published with two 
plates in the Journal of the Linnean Society, Botany, vol. xiii., 
pp. 58-64, and is entitled ‘“ Notes on the Styles of Australian 
Proteacex.” It does not deal with the modes of fertilisation, the 
protection against useless insect visitors, or the peculiarities of 
the perianth ; and his remarks are limited to eight of the thirty- 
three Australian genera. 
Although fairly conversant with current Australian botanical 
literature, with the exception of Bentham’s, I have not yet met 
with any notes on the fertilisation of flowers of this interesting 
family, and am therefore led to place on record the following 
observations on Proteaceous flowers and their visitors. 
Mr. Scott Elliot, author of “The Naturalist in Mid-Africa,” in 
Annals of Botany, May, 1890, p. 274, quotes Protea incompta, P. 
