Miscellatieous: 497 



Fertilization of Pedicularis canadensis. By Mr. Thomas Meehan. 

 The author di*ew attention to the structure of the flower of Pedi- 

 cularis canadensis, in which it was e\ddent self-impregnation was 

 impossible, and there seemed to be no special arrangements for 

 fertilization by insect agency, as there were in so many allied plants. 

 In this case the stamens were included in the closely compressed 

 arch of the corolla, and, with the anthers, were directed retrorsely 

 to the pistil, which at an early age, and long before the maturity of 

 the pollen, was protruded beyond the corolla, rendering self-fertiliza- 

 tion almost impossible in this flower. But the flowers were always 

 abundantly fertile; and though the arrangements were such as 

 seemingly to afford no chance even for insects to aid in the fertiliza- 

 tion, it was also probable that in some way it was accomplished by 

 them. Both last season and this he had devoted some time to 

 watching the plant, but failed to find any clue to the process. A 

 species of Bombus seemed to have the plant especially under its 

 charge, visiting the flowers in great numbers ; but they bored through 

 the corolla on the outside of the tube for the saccharine matter, 

 and the anthers or pollen did not seem to be in the least disturbed 

 by this. Still it was so highly probable that in some way some 

 insect aided in the cross-fertilization of these flowers, that it might 

 serve a useful purpose to direct attention to it, as others with time 

 and opportunity might discover what he had failed to find. — Proc. 

 Acad. Nat, Sci. Philad. June 1873. 



Fertilization of Pedicularis canadensis. By Mr. Gentry. 



At the last meeting of the Academy, Mr. Meehan made some 

 observations upon the peculiar structure of the flowers of Pedicularis 

 canadensis, observing that he had vainly watched them during two 

 seasons with the view of determining the manner in which they were 

 fertilized. He further said that he had noticed that they received 

 the attention of a species of bumble-bee, for the sake of their honey, 

 which, in order to accomplish its purpose, always bored a hole into 

 the side of the tube. 



On Wednesday morning last I visited a spot where the plants 

 were growing luxuriantly, affording an interesting field for obser- 

 vation. It was not long before I observed a Bombus terrestris to 

 alight upon the outer side of the tube of a flower, at a distance of 

 three feet from me. At this distance it did seem as if the bee, in 

 order to obtain the honey which the flower secretes, produced a slit 

 into the tube, as Mr. Meehan observed. But the movements of the 

 bee being so quick, and the distance too great to judge accurately, 

 I approached the insect by degrees, until I was within three 

 inches of it, when the whole process became apparent. The bee, 

 however, was so intent upon its labours, as not to take any notice 

 of me. 



The flower is composed of an erect tube, with a natural cleft 

 running along its lateral walls from above, through one third its 

 entire length, presenting outwardly apparently a mere crease, from 



34* 



