1879. j Botany. 649 
flies and bees, all attracted by the color, fragrance and nectar of 
the flowers. I have been interested in noticing the manner in 
which the insects, particularly the large humble bees, aided in 
securing the cross-fertilization of the blossoms. 
_ As is well known the Wistaria bears papilionaceous flowers, 
like the pea, bean, etc., the wings of which clasp the closely 
appressed and somewhat coherent petals forming the keel, the lat- 
ter inclosing the stamens and pistils. In the newly expanded 
flower, which has not been visited by insects, the stamens and 
pistils cannot be seen without parting the petals forming the keel; 
we then find the stamens united throughout the greater portion 
of their length, and then, together with the pistil, bent upwards 
at nearly a right angle; the reason of this abrupt bend will be 
seen farther on. | 
hen a bee alights on the blossom it clings to the petals form- 
ing the wings, and thrusts its proboscis upwards under the base of 
the banner where the nectar is secreted ; in doing this the weight 
of the insect presses down the wings and keel of the blossom 
and forces upwards the stamens and pistils and presses their 
extremities with considerable force against the thorax and abdo- 
men of the bee. In this manner the insect becomes dusted with 
pollen from many flowers, some of which cannot fail to find its 
way to the sticky stigma which is ripe to receive it. When the 
bee has secured the sweets that it loves, and departs, the petals 
usually resume their former position with the stamens and pistils 
concealed. It is interesting to watch the workings of this curious 
plan for securing cross-fertilization in the Wistaria, as this plant, 
from the structure of its blossoms, seems to offer great obstacles 
to its accomplishment.—/srac/ C. Russell, Plainfield, N. F. 
HUMBLE BEES AND THE GERARDIA FLAVA.—Some years ago I 
sent a note to the NaTurAList Stating how the humble bees per- 
forated the corolla of Gerardia pedicularia. 1 have, within a few 
days, noticed that they acfin-the same way, to a less degree, with 
Gerardia flava when growing in quantity. I came upon an unu- 
sually fine lot of this in Providence on the 3d of August, a very 
hot day. The bees were numerous, and in many cases directed 
their flight at once to the holes made by previous visitors on the 
upper sides of the corollas, near the base. Some flowers, how- 
ever, were approached in the usual way. It is said that this bur- 
glarious proceeding is only noticed in the case of such plants as- 
loom profusely. The consequence might be in time a perceptible 
diminution of individuals, when, owing to less competition, the 
insects would act in a legitimate way, that is, approaching by the 
open tube.— W. W. Bailey, Providence, R. I. 
Prunus pumMiILa.—Growing on the sand ridges by the shore of 
Lake Michigan, at Pine and Millers, Indiana, are very large 
Plants of this species. Most authorities state that the stems are 
