28 THE VICTORIAN iJATURALIST. 



THE LECTURETTES. 



The first lecturette was then delivered by Mr. O. A. Sayce, 

 who took for the subject of his remarks "The Fertilisation 

 of Flowers." He explained the differences between the two 

 ^reat groups of flowers known as Anemophilous, or those 

 fertilised by the wind bearing the pollen from the male to the 

 female flower, and Entomophilous, or those fertilised by 

 insects, which unconsciously carry the pollen from one flower 

 to another while in search of food. To the former the 

 different kinds of grasses, palms, pines, etc., belong, all 

 bearing inconspicuous and scentless flowers containing no 

 honey. The latter group contain flowers which were all more 

 or less conspicuous in either form, colour, or perfume, and 

 contained food suited for insects. He said that, as a rule, 

 large or highly-coloured flowers were devoid of perfume, while 

 the less attractive were highly scented, the meaning being 

 obvious. He also showed by means of illustrations how some 

 flowers adapt themselves to the visits of insects to secure 

 cross-fertilisation by special contrivances to effect the desired 

 result. This was most marked in the orchids, where most 

 ■elaborate contrivances existed. He gave it as clearly proved 

 that the colour, perfumes, and even shapes of flowers existed 

 solely for the purpose of attracting insects, so as to secure 

 cross-fertilisation, and not merely for the purpose of pleasing 

 our esthetic tastes. 



On conclusion, the lecturer was heartily applauded. 



The second lecturette was given in the smaller hall by Mr. 

 L. Hart, and was entitled " A Peep at Nature through the 

 Oxyhydrogen Microscope." The lecturer, in a few brief 

 remarks, explained the objects represented in a well-prepared 

 •series of views thrown on the wall, consisting of such objects 

 as parts of the fly, the silkworm, the flea, the butterfly, and 

 other forms of insect life, and thus fully sustained the interest 

 of his audience for upwards of half-an-hour, receiving much 

 applause on conclusion. 



THE EXHIBITS. 



The following is a list of the exhibitors, and their more 

 important exhibits : — 



Mr. P. H. Anderson, Carlton — Specimens of insect architec- 

 ture, coleoptera, birds' eggs, seaweeds, British and Australian 

 dried plants, etc. 



Mr. E Bage, East St. Kilda — A collection of shells from the 

 Australian coasts, Fiji, etc. 



Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, Kew — A pair of flymg mice (Acrohates 

 pygmaaj, the smallest marsupial known. Six cases of Victorian 



