140 LOBELIA FEAYANA. DR. FEAY S LOBELIA. 



on one side, and in many odier points, perhaps, resembling a 

 Lobelia. In fact different degrees of cohesion of parts which 

 necessitate growth in accordance, or degrees of intensity or 

 of direction in the growth waves, — apparently slight causes — 

 account for the actual differences which divide some of the great 

 families of plants from one another. 



The manner in which the pollen reaches the stigma and thus 

 fertilizes the flower has given rise to a great deal of speculation. 

 It is only after the pistil has pushed itself through the mass of 

 pollen that the stigmatic surface at the apex becomes exposed. 

 It seems very difficult for it to receive any of its own pollen on 

 this account, and the only way in which it can be ferdlized is by 

 receiving pollen from other flowers by the aid of insects. This 

 view is held by Darwin and others. But it is certain that Lobelia 

 crimis will produce seeds freely when insects fitted for the work 

 of bringing pollen from a distance are wholly excluded, and it is 

 well worth studying how the pollen, necessary for ferdlization, is 

 carried to the stigmatic surface. The species now illustrated, 

 L. Feayana, is so nearly related to the species employed by Mr. 

 Darwin in his experiments, that it has suggested this reference 

 to Mr. Darwin's views. 



Explanations of the Plate. — i. A small plant, full size. 2. Enlarged flower, showing the 

 form of the three-cleft lip. 3. Pistil, showing its curved form and circle of hairs beneath 

 the bilobed pistil. 4. Longitudinal section, showing the pistil surrounded above by the 

 united anthers before it has pushed its way through them. 



