COCONUT PLANTER'S MANUAL. 19 



any special adaptations, and the structure of the male flower is, on the 

 whole, equally simple. Rut the male flower possesses three nectaries 

 at the bases of the teeth which crown the central column, and the se- 

 cretion of these nectaries undoubtedly attracts insects. The stigma of 

 the female flower also furnishes ' nectar," so that the visits of the in- 

 sects to both male and female flowers are assured. Bees and hornets 

 appear to be the most frequent visitors, but further observations are 

 required on this point. 



In considering the potential insect visitors to flowers in the Tro- 

 pics one has always to take into considei'ation the ubiquitous ant. At 

 first sight it seems posssible that this insect may take part in the 

 conveyance of pollen from the male to the female flower, especially when 

 the periods of the inflorescences overlap. In that case they might 

 convey pollen from one inflorescence to another on the same tree. 

 But it is improbable that they should convey pollen from one tree to 

 another, because the journeys of this species, as a rule, do not extend 

 to two trees. 



There is, however, a special provision on the female flower of the 

 coconut which more or less effectually excludes ants from the work of 

 pollination. The region below the stigma, almost the whole of the area 

 which is exposed when the female flower opens, bears a large number 

 of pores. When the flower is ripe these exude a quantity of moisture 

 which, at least in fine weather, forms a ring of liquid round the stigma 

 and prevents the ants reaching the latter. It is not uncommon to see 

 a crowd of black ants congregated round the edge of this ring. It is 

 probable that, as is usual in cases of this kind, the liquid contains some 

 sugar, so that the ants obtain what they want without robbing the 

 stigma. In any case, it keeps the ants away from the stigma. The 

 position of these water pores can be clearly seen on the young fruit- 

 where they are indicated by small whitish spots. These spots owe their 

 colour to masses of minute crystals which are deposited by the liquid. 



As far as insect visitors are concerned, therefore, pollination 

 effected by bees and hornets. But from the structure of the flowers 

 it is most probable that the wind is also responsible for the trans- 

 ference of pollen, to a great extent. 



As has already been stated the male flowers far outnumber the 

 females. The vast majority of the flowers on the coconut inflores- 

 cence are male. I have seen inflorescences which did not bear any 

 female flowers, 



