50 The Botanical Gazette. [February, . 
are required to insert their tongues between the filaments, 
Each filament has on each side of its base a fimbriate append 
age which tends to close the interval. Then the ovary is 
densely clothed with erect bristle-like hairs which also aid in 
concealing the nectar. The disk surrounding the base of the 
ovary shows five nectar secreting processes alternating with 
the filaments. | 
The flower is homogamous. The style with its receptive) 
stigma rises among the dehiscent anthers, being generally _ 
overtopped by them, so that self-pollination may readily 
occur with or without insect aid. : 
Probably on account of strong competition with its allies 
and other plants the flower seems to have gone through? 
stage in which it was neglected by insects and was compelled” 
to rely upon self-pollination. At present I find it abundantly 
visited, to an extent that would seem to justify the return de 
dichogamic characters. BY 
But the damp shady situations in which the plant grows 
no doubt, render the visits of insects quite uncertain, sot t 
the power of spontaneous self-pollination becomes a most im ) 
portant condition of selection. The flower is adapted t0- 
small bees, especially Ha/ictus. It blooms from April 21st @” 
June 21st. May 8th, 12th and 21st the following visite’ — 
were observed: ’ 
Hymenoptera—A pzdae: (1) Ceratina tejonensis Cr. 6, abi 
(2) C. dupla Say 89, ab.; (3) Osmia albiventris Cr. 8; (4) % 
atriventris Cr. 22; (5) Nomada maculata Cr. 9; Andrenida 
(6) Andrena violae Rob. 9; (7) A. ziziae Rob.:; (8) Augoch: 
lora pura Say 9, ab.; (9) Halictus 4-maculatus Rob. 9, ai 
(10) H. pectoralis Sm. 9; (11) H. fasciatus Nyl. 2, ab. ; (17 
H. obscurus Rob. 9, ab.; (13) H. zephyrus Sm. 3; (14). 
tegularis Rob. 9; (15) H. stultus Cr. ?—all s. 
Diptera—Bombylidae : (16) Bombylius pulchellus Lwey 
(17) B. fratellus Wd., s.; Syrphidae: (18) Pipiza femoralis 
f. p.; (19) Mesograpta marginata Say, f. p.; (20) M. 8 
ata Say, f. p.; (21) Rhingia nasica Say, s. 
COMANDRA UMBELLATA Nutt.— The flower is remarka 
for being specially adapted to flies. The calyx is white an 
pands about 5"". -It is generally 5-, sometimes 3- or 4-P 
The tube is 2 or 3™ long, lined within by a green disk W! 
above forms lobes alternating with the stamens an 
lobes. This disk, especially at its exposed lobes, 5¢ 
‘ 
