SEPTEMBER. 



161 



also functionally dioecious and having green fragrant 

 flowers almost buried among the large flag-like leaves. 

 They are fertilised by flies. The bush lawyer (Rubus 

 australis) also begins to flower in September. There are 

 several varieties, of which one or two probably deserve to 



Astelia nei"vosa in fruit. 



rank as distinct species. The commonest form is strictly 

 dioecious, so that cross-fertilisation is a necessity. They 

 are visited for their nectar and pollen chiefly by small 

 beetles of several species, and if you want to observe them, 

 hold a sheet of paper under a bunch of the flowers and get 



