TACCACEAE 437 



the stigma closes up the flower-kettle except for some small openings, into which, 

 according to Delpino's supposition, small midges creep and dust themselves with 

 pollen. If they then fly to another flower, they touch the stigma first, thus effecting 

 cross-pollination. 



869. Aspidistra Ker-Gawl. 



2705. A. elatior Blume. (Buchenau, Bot. Ztg., Leipzig, xxv, 1867, pp. 220-2.) 

 — This species possesses a similar flower mechanism to that of Tacca cristata. It 

 was not explained by Buchenau. 



CXIII. ORDER DIOSCOREACEAE R. BR. 



870. Tamus L. 



2706. T. communis L. — This species bears greenish flowers. 



Visitors. — Plateau observed 2 bees (Apis and Andrena sp.), a Muscid (Calli- 

 phora vomitoria Z.), and a Scarabaeid beetle (Trichius abdominalis Men.). 



CXIV. ORDER LILIACEAE DC. 



Literature. — Herm. Miiller, ' Fertlsn.,' pp. 548-59 ; Knuth, ' Grundriss d. 

 Bliitenbiol.,' pp. 99-100. 



In species of this order the two whorls of the inferior petaloid perianth serve, 

 often together with the stamens, to make the flowers conspicuous. When small 

 they are aggregated into racemes, capitula, umbels, or spikes. 



The individual species partly bear pollen-flowers, and partly those secreting 

 nectar either at the base of the carpels or the perianth leaves. The pollen-flowers 

 attract either pollen-collecting or pollen-devouring insects (species of Tulipa, Con- 

 vallaria, Narthecium) or are perhaps deceptive flowers attracting stupid, carrion- 

 loving flies (Paris). Flowers secreting nectar by the ovary or provided with juicy 

 tissue in that region may be arranged in the following classes : — 

 E : Tofieldia, Anthericum ; 

 EC : Ornithogalum ; 

 C : Allium, Hyacinthus (in part) ; 



Hb : Hyacinthus (in part), Muscari, Polygonatum (in part) ; 

 Hb : Polygonatum (in part) ; 

 L : Paradisea. 

 Flowers secreting nectar at the base of the perianth leaves may be similarly 



classified : — 



E : Veratrum, species of Gagea, Lloydia ; 

 EC : species of Gagea ; 

 C : Fritillaria ; 

 L: Lilium. 



871. Tulipa L. 



Partly homogamous pollen-flowers, partly flowers with concealed nectar. 



2707. T. sylvestris L. (Kirchner, ' Flora v. Stuttgart,' p. 56 ; Kerner, ' Nat. 



