8 POLLEN. 



gonal, having five bands (four in Hassall's drawing) ; while 

 F. odora (No. 375) and cornuta (No. 376) have three small slits. 

 A garden hybrid between V. tricolor (No. 370) and V. cornuta, 

 called Perfection (No. 377), shows some of the characteristics 

 of both parents. This is very remarkable, as Mr. Worthington 

 Smith has pointed out that it is impossible to cross species 

 which have different pollens ; but this does not seem to be 

 the case at any rate. No doubt the subject will be carefully 

 examined by hybridists, to whom it is most important. 

 The Pinus and Abies (No. 37) have a very peculiar form ; 

 two grains of pollen connected as it were by a broad band. 

 This is distinctly shown by Mohl or Hassall, and confirmed 

 by my own observations. I mention this as Schacht describes 

 them differently, and I cannot but believe him mistaken. 

 Dr. Hooker describes some in his Tasmanian Flora somewhat 

 similar, but with three instead of two grains of pollen. 



Other Gymnosperms are quite different, sub-globular, 

 with four coats ; in water or acid they burst at one side with 

 a large opening. Some are quite simple, as Ephedra, or the 

 Cycadese (No. 47). 



We have, further, several compound pollens, three or four 

 cells united into one, as in Ericaceae (with the exception of 

 Clethra, which has the common 3-slit form), Epacris, Randia 

 longiflora, and a few other Rubiaceae. Epilobium roseum 

 in Onagracese, Salpiglossis atropurpurea in Solanacese, and 

 Lechenaultia in the Goodeniacese, mentioned by Hassall, 

 are also fourfold. We also find some in groups of four, but 

 not so completely united ; as in Beschorneria, and a specimen 

 of Fourcroya, mentioned by Schacht. The other Agaves I 

 have examined are simple. Typha (No. 26), Cytinus (No. 

 57), are also 4-celled. The Acacieee are many-celled, nine 

 to sixteen cells united in cubical or sub-trigonous forms. 

 The Acanthacese are perhaps the most beautiful of all, in 

 many forms : some in a peculiar coil, which can be unwound ; 

 some in an oblong coil ; some not coiled, but richly marked ; 

 some spherical (No. 108-127, P. vii. viii. xix.) ; examined in the 

 ;j~inch objective, occasionally in the 8th objective. 



I here offer my thanks to Dr. Hooker for allowing me to 

 collect pollen in the Kew Gardens, and to Mr. Oliver for 

 permission to collect it on some dried specimens, and to 

 Dr. Murie for his valuable assistance. 



