* 
572 Notes on the Flowering of Saxifraga sarmentosa. | August, 
into the position represented in Fig. 3a. The exact time has not 
been noticed in a single case. Sometimes two or three stamens 
came into position between observations as many hours apart, 
but in no case was the motion rapid enough to be perceptible. 
After remaining in position from 2-10 hours they return to their 
original position, and those alternating with the petals are often 
thrown back much further, as is shown in Fig. 3 d. The stamens 
on the lower side of the flower, froin the nature of the case, 
move through an angle of about 45°, those on the sides through 
go° and those on the upper side about 130°—170°. 
7. Another motion is quite as remarkable. The anthers are 
first in the relation to the filament represented in Fig. 3 4, but as 
they approach maturity they turn up, in every case, and take the 
position represented in Fig. 3 c, which shows also their peculiar 
dehiscence. After quite a careful examination, no peculiar organs 
or structures were found to explain either of these movements. 
8. The pistils, when mature, bring their stigmas into the same 
relative position to the axis of the flower, as is shown in Fig. 3 d. 
This is done, however, merely by the lengthening of the styles 
and the unfolding of the stigmas. 
Such an array of mysterious movements and adjustments 
demands an explanation. Many of them are easily explained by 
the doctrine of cross-fertilization. The “contrivance” is SO 
obvious that further explanation seems scarcely necessary, büt a 
word or two may make some points clearer. The conspicuous 
panicle attracts the passing insect, the highly colored petals 
direct to the nectar, the large petals offer a platform for him to 
alight and regale himself; but he must pay the price, which, 
however, is only to have his breast well powdered with pollen n 
a flower in the staminate stage, which, when he visits another in 
the pistilate stage will be conveyed exactly to the stigmas. The 
nectar is protected from insects which do not fly by the glandular 
hairs bristling all over the peduncles and sepals. 
Close-fertilization seems scarcely possible. The only chance 
seems to be this. In case no insects visit the flower the nectar 
accumulates and may become so thick that when No. 9 comes 
into position it is held there until the pistils are mature, aS 15 
shown in Fig. 2, then the wind or something else, jarring me 
plant, may toss the pollen upon the pistils. Cross-fertilization — 
between flowers on the same plant, or even the same branch, 15 
