(j. M. Thomson. — On the Fertilization of Flowering Plants. 247 



confirmation of the theory is very complete. The circumstance that 

 aromatic leaves are also very scarce, suggests the idea that these, too, serve 

 as an attraction to insects. Aromatic plants abound most in arid countries 

 and on alpine heights ; both localities where winged insects are compara- 

 tively scarce, and where it may be necessary to attract them in every 

 possible way.* Dr. Hooker also informs me, that since his ' Introduction to 

 the New Zealand Flora ' was written, many plants with handsome flowers 

 have been discovered, especially among the Pumunculi, shrubby Veronicas, 

 and herbaceous Compositte. The two former, however, are genera of wide 

 range, which may have originated in New Zealand by the introduction of 

 plants with handsome flowers, which the few indigenous insects would be 

 attracted by, and thus prevent the loss of their gay corollas ; so that these 

 discoveries will not much affect the general character of the flora, and its 

 very curious bearing on the past history of the islands through the relations 

 of flowers and insects." 



It is impossible to differ from this reasoning in toto, because the state- 

 ments and facts on which it is founded are to a great extent correct, 

 though in the light of more recent knowledge they require considerable 

 modification. I do not see, however, that the imperfection alhided to, viz., 

 the great tendency among our plants to sexual separation, is yet explained. 

 It may help to solve the question if the proportions of the various kinds, 

 forms, colours, etc., of our flowers be examined. The following numbers 

 may be taken as approximately correct ; they are drawn up from those 

 species only which I have personally examined and noted : — 

 Total of Species examiked, 433. 

 (1). Flowers conspicuous by themselves . . . . . . 131 ; over 30 per cent. 



,, ,, ,, associationf . . .. .,91; ,,21 ,, 



,, ,, ,, inconspicuous J .. .. 211; nearly 49 ,, 



(2). If we take, now, the colours of the whole we find — White (142 sp.), nearly 

 33 per cent.; yellow (48 sp.), over 11 per cent.; red, of all shades (21 sp.), 

 abou 5 per cent.; blue or purple (11 sp.), or about 2^ per cent.; the 

 remainder being greenish, or inconspicuous. | 

 (3). In regard to the possession of fragrance, the numbers are — 



Sweet scented . . . . , . . . 95 species ; or nearly 22 per cent. 



No scent perceptible . . . . . . 338 „ ,, „ 78 „ 



(4). Those noted as being melliferous, or not 



Possessing honey . . . . . , 189 species ; over 43 „ 



Not having honey . . . . . . 244 ,, „ 56 ,, 



* Anyone who has botanized on our mountains must have been struck with the 

 number and brilliancy of the flowers, mostly white (Cehnisias, Eaoulias, Emmnculi, 

 Veronicas, etc.), which grow in such localities. Many fine insects are also confined to the 

 mountains, however. 



t Includes all the (conspicuous) Composite. 



I Includes most of the lower Monocotyledons (Juncete, Cyperacese, Gramineas, etc.) 



