148 EPIDENDEEJS. . Chap. V. 



only about one per cent, contained an embryo. Similar 

 seeds were more carefully examined by Mr. Gosse, who 

 found that two per cent, contained an embryo. About 

 twenty-five per cent, of the seeds from a self-fertilised 

 capsule of Lmlia cirmdbarina, also sent to me by 

 Mr. Anderson, were found to be good. It is therefore 

 doubtful whether the capsules spontaneously self-ferti- 

 lised in the West Indies, as described by Dr. Criiger, 

 were fully and properly fertilised. Fritz Miiller in- 

 forms me that he has discovered in South Brazil 

 an Epidendrum which bears three pollen-producing 

 anthers, and this is a great anomaly in the order. 

 This species is very imperfectly fertilised by insects ; 

 but by means of the two lateral anthers the flowers 

 are regularly self-fertilised. Fritz Miiller assigns good 

 reasons for his belief that the appearance of the two 

 additional anthers in this Epidendrum, is a case of 

 reversion to the primitive condition of the whole 

 group.* 



• Si* also ' 13ot. Zcit'ing,' 1869, p. 226, and 1870, p. 1.53. 



