504 JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. 
following facts in connection with the fertilisation of the red 
clover in New Zealand are proved :—(1) That the red clover 
does produce its seeds in this Colony. (2) That some varieties 
are much more fertile than others. (3) That there is every 
reason to believe that numerous individuals belonging to the 
species are self-fertile, and that they produce self-fertile progeny. 
(4) That all the varieties show a tendency to produce paler- 
coloured flowers. (5) That the common hive bee, and its variety 
the so-called hybrid Ligurian bee, frequently gather honey from 
the blossoms of the red clover, thereby, no doubt, aiding cross- 
fertilisation. There is also reason to believe that the red clover 
is becoming modified in its structure, so as to admit the visits of 
insects not known to visit it in England, and that such modifica- 
tion tends to render the plant self-fertilising, but at the same time 
enables it to be improved in constitutional vigour by occasional 
inter-crossing. 
AN EXPEDITION TO THE CENTRAL PART OF 
THE SOUTHERN ALES? 
(BY DR. R. v. LENDENFELD.) 
Before entering on the description of this part of our moun- 
tains, I think it may perhaps be useful to recall to your memory 
the principal features of the Southern Alps. Although they were 
thoroughly explored some years ago by Dr von. Haast, and re- 
presented on the map, and although some of their glaciers have 
been visited by travellers; still they are not nearly so well known 
as they deserve to be, and so it may not be without interest to 
describe in detail the largest glacierin that mountain chain. As 
you are aware, the Southern Alps extend through the whole of 
New Zealand, not only through the Middle Island, but right 
from the southern end of Stewart Island to North Cape. The 
part which principally concerns us to-day is the central part of 
these Alps, which adorn the Middle Island. They extend for 
about a hundred miles, and the main range for that distance 
does not descend under 6o0o0o0ft. This part is situated between 
Haast and Whitecombe Passes. Haast Pass is a depression only 
1716ft. high ; Whitecombe Pass lies 4212ft. above sea level. The 
average height of the main chain is, of course, greater than 
6o0oft., as many of the peaks attain an altitude of goooft., or 
more. The saddles are in no place free from snow, and it would 
be impossible to pass the main range without traversing large 
and difficult glaciers. This main range has only twice been 
traversed by the foot of mat 
at the head of the Lyell glacier, and the second time by us, Mr 
Green did not touch the main range, because he kept on the 
* Lecture delivered at the Canterbury Philosophical Institute, on the sth July, 
1883, 
——— eee 
A a, 
