548 THE FERTILISATION OF FLOWERS. [PART III. 
only the anthers, which dehisce extrorsely, are exposed to contact 
with the insects; afterwards the stigmas unfold between them. 
Cross-fertilisation is thus insured in case of insect-visits; in absence 
of insects, the cup-shaped or rather grooved stigmas, passing out 
between the anthers, are dusted with their pollen (609, fig. 10). 
In Crocus sativus, All., the ovary secretes honey, according 
to Sprengel (742, p. 68). 
Gladiolus, Treviranus states that flowers of this genus are 
self-fertilised, the style curving back towards the anthers (742). 
Gladiolus segetwm has proterandrous flowers formed on the 
Labiate type according to Delpino. In addition to the her- 
maphrodite flowers others occur containing a pistil only (178, 
p. 184, 360, p. 670). 
Gladiolus palustris, Gand., and G. communis, L., are visited 
by bees and humble-bees (590, 1). 
Orv. LILIACEZ. 
388. ASPARAGUS OFFICINALIS, L.—This plant supplies an 
undoubted instance of a transition stage between monecism and 
Fic. 182.—Asparagus officinalis, L. 
1.—Male flower, from below. 
2.—Ditto, after removal of half the perianth. 
3.—Female flower, from below, 
4,—Ditto, after removal of half the perianth. 
a, rudimentary stamen; b, rudimentary ovary. 
diecism. The flowers of the male individuals show distinctly 
a rudiment of a pistil (b, 2, fig. 182), and those of the female 
individuals show functionless but still conspicuous rudiments of 
