CngrsEMAN.—On the Fertilization of Selliera. 545 
optera have been noticed, including the Hive-bee. The common Red Ant 
is often seen crawling over the leaves, but I have not observed it to enter 
the flowers. I believe that several nocturnal Lepidoptera are constant 
visitors. I once saw a Butterfly sucking the nectar, while the handsome 
day-flying Moth, Leptosoma annulatum, has often been seen similarly 
engaged. Coleoptera are scarce; but one species of the Staphylinide is 
not uncommon about the flowers. A species of Bug is often exceedingly 
abundant amongst the leaves, but I have been unable to determine whether 
it visits the flowers or not. 
It is impossible to examine the fertilization of this plant without being 
impressed by the fertility of contrivance, and beautiful adaptation of means 
to an end everywhere displayed. Passing over it in review we see first of 
all the open indusium, with the anthers slowly arching over and discharg- 
ing their load of pollen ; then the closing of the indusium, and its curious 
change of position, placing it in the most advantageous situation for the 
visits of insects ; afterwards the thrusting out of the pollen by the upward 
growth of the stigma, and its partial detention by the hairs on the out- 
side of the indusium ; then the visits of insects, attracted by the delicate 
odour and the copious supply of nectar; and, lastly, their departure, but 
not without conveying with them, for transportation to other flowers, some 
portion of the fertilizing pollen. Taken singly, any one of these contri- 
vances would appear to be of little importance, but linked together they 
form a chain upon the proper arrangement and entirety of which depends 
the very existence of the plant itself. —.. 
Art. LXXX.—On New Zealand Coffee. By J. C. Crawrorp. — 
(Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 24th February, 1877.) 
Ir is desirable that we should not overlook, as regards our sources of 
industry and wealth, the indigenous produets of the country. 
The Coprosmas of New Zealand are allied to the Coffee plant, and I 
have seen it stated that coffee of fine flavour has been produced from the 
Karamu, Coprosma lucida. 
I wish to eall attention to another plant of the same family, viz., the 
Taupata, Coprosma baueriana. I have for some years past planted this shrub 
extensively in my garden, chiefly as a nurse for other trees, and as it loves 
the sea breeze and an exposed situation, I have found it most useful for the 
purpose. The question to be solved is, can the seeds of this plant be profit- 
ably utilized as a coffee, and as such enter into the produets of commerce ? 
There is much to be said in favour of the Taupata. It is extremely hardy, 
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