G. M. Thomson. — On the Fertilization of Flowering Plants. 263 



those which are only staminate in structure being both larger and whiter 

 than hermaphrodite or female flowers. The most singular fact about the 

 plants is that the same branch will produce different kinds of flowers, and 

 that frequently the lower part of a branch will bear the previous year's 

 capsules while the upper part is covered with male flowers only. All 

 stages of hermaphroditism and polygamy occur in this species, which seems 

 absolutely dependent on insect aid for its fertilization. 



L. ericoides bears smaller flowers than the preceding, and all that I have 

 observed were hermaphrodite. They are also fragrant and melliferous, and 

 are probably aided in their fertilization by insects. 



Metrosideros liocida, the rata or iron-wood of Otago, is one of the most 

 gorgeous plants in New Zealand. Like most of the very conspicuous 

 plants of the genus, it owes its brilliancy to the long tassels of crimson 

 stamens in each flower. The flowers are destitute of scent, but secrete a 

 quantity of honey. They are invariably hermaphrodite, but are probably 

 aided in their fertilization by the numerous tuis and honey-birds which 

 frequent them for the sake of their honey. 



M. hypericifolia, a smaller species which climbs on the trunks of trees, is 

 much less inconspicuous than the former. Its flowers are smaller, white, 

 pink or crimson, with much shorter and less conspicuous stamens, but these 

 disadvantages are counterbalanced by the abundance of honey produced, 

 and its fragrance. It is sometimes visited by birds, but more probably by 

 large Diptera. 



Myrtus obcordata and M. pedunculata have nearly similar flowers, and 

 are apparently dependent chiefly on insect-aid. Though not produced in 

 great quantity, they are white and tolerably conspicuous, very fragrant, and 

 distinctly proterandrous. I have not observed any honey in them. 

 Nat. Ord. Onagkaeie^. 



The genus Fuchsia is visually considered to have three representative 

 species in New Zealand, viz., F. excorticata, F. colensoi, and F. j^^'ocimibens, 

 but I should really consider them as two widely different forms, with a 

 great many intermediate gradations. They all agree, however, in the 

 peculiarity of their flowers which I am about to describe, and which I am 

 rather astonished has not been noticed before. Each of these kinds is 

 dimorphic, possessing two very distinct forms of flowers. 



The larger form of flower is green and purple, an inch to an inch and a 

 half long, stout, and with exserted anthers. These produce abundance of 

 brilliant blue pollen, Avhich is tied together in a remarkable manner by slen- 

 der threads. These flowers are hermaphrodite in function as well as in 

 structure, but the stigma matures before the anthers, so that cross-fertiliza- 

 tion must often take place. 



