G. M. Thomson. — On the Fertilization of Flowering Plants. 273 



botanists that irregular flowers are specially fitted for the visits of insects, 

 and if this view is correct all the plants which belong to this order are more 

 or less entomophilous. 



The flowers of Pratia (with which those of Lobelia and Colensoa agree 

 pretty closely), are extremely irregular. The corolla tube is split to the 

 base at the back, while in front it stands somewhat horizontal, and 

 affords a convenient landing stage for small insects. It is usually white in 

 colour, with very bright blue or purple guiding Unes converging to its base, 

 where a considerable amount of honey is secreted. The style, which is two- 

 lobed above, is surrounded by the connate anthers when the flower newly 

 opens, and the column is thus bent forward at its siimmit, so as to slightly 

 arch over the horizontal corolla-tube. The stamens are proterandrous, as 

 in Wahlenbergia, and just as in those flowers, the style lengthens out of the 

 staminal tube, carrying out the pollen with it, and then the two stigmatic 

 faces, which up to this time have been in close contact, expand widely and 

 expose a large papillose surface. These flowers are quite incapable of self- 

 fertilization. 



Nat. Ord. Goodeniaceje. 



The fertilization of Selliera radicans has been already fully and clearly 

 described by Mr. T. F. Cheeseman.* This species is exclusively insect-fer- 

 tilized. 



Nat. Ord. Eeice^. 



There are really only two genera (Gaultheria and Pernettya) of this 

 large order in New Zealand. 



Gaulthetia antipoda is remarkable for the tendency towards separation 

 of the sexes which it exhibits ; standing alone in this respect — as far as I 

 am aware — in the order. 



In some of its forms truly hermaphrodite flowers are found, and in these 

 the stamens mature considerably before the stigmas. In others, the sta- 

 mens occur in a more or less aborted form, until a stage is reached where 

 the anthers are represented by small bent portions on the summit of a di- 

 minished filament. I have never found a purely pistillate form with no 

 trace of anthers, nor have I found a male form showing a diminished pistil. 

 In all those of course in which abortion of the stamens has taken place, 

 cross-fertilization must take place to secure the production of seed, and from 

 the nature of the flower this can only be accomplished by insect-agency. 

 In the hermaphrodite flowers, even if not absolutely essential, it must 

 frequently take place. The coroUa always contains honey at its base. 



Gaultheria rupestris, which is a much more conspicuously flowered plant 



* " Trans. N. Z. Inst." Vol. IX. p. 542. 



35 



