116 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



elastic. As the flower opens these filaments are put into the 

 utmost tension, and are gradually dislodged from the pouches in 

 the ovary, when they spring back with great force, bursting their 

 anthers, and scattering their pollen all orer the neighbouring 

 plants (Fig. 1 6). Here, although we have not an insect-fertilised 

 plant, it is wholly impossible that self-fertilisation can take place 

 owing to the stigmas falling off before the flower opens. 



In Streptocarpus sp. the filaments of the stamens are so situated 

 that when any object enters the tube of the corolla it is sure to 

 separate them. The pollen is contained in little boxes, and when 

 the filaments are separated this box is sure to be opened, and a 

 shower of pollen falls out. In the male stage the pistil is very 

 short, but after the maturity of the stamens is over it elongates, 

 and comes to occupy the same position as was formerly held by 

 the stamens. To explain the manner of fertilisation here let us 

 suppose that an insect in search of honey visits this flower : on 

 inserting its head down the tube of the corolla it will come in con- 

 tact with the filaments of the stamen. On doing this the pollen 

 box is opened, a shower of pollen is let fall upon the head and 

 back of the insect. The insect then flies away to a flower in the 

 female stage, and on inserting its head down the corolla tube as 

 before the first object that it comes in contact with is the elongated 

 pistil. Then as its head was dusted over with pollen gathered 

 from another flower, some of the pollen will be sure to be left on 

 the pistil, and so the plant will be fertilised. 



23ed November, 1875. 



Mr. James Allan, Vice-President, in the chair. 



Mr. Andrew A. Hogarth, 465 St. Vincent Street, and Mr. J. 

 Had do w, 292 St. George's Road, were elected members of the 

 Society. 



SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. 



By Mr. Schulze. — Two beautiful microscopes, and a large collec- 

 tion of microscopic apparatus and slides. His instruments were 

 by Ross, of London, and Whyte, Glasgow, and he had also micro- 

 scopes on the table by Smith and Beck, Hartnack, &c. He 

 exhibited several objects under l-50th object-glass of Powell and 

 Lealand. 



