26S 



Bombi and Xylocopa ; the proboscis of the honey-bee hem- too 



of honey-bees were flying from flower to flower, not a solitary in- 

 dividual was noticed to enter the throats of the same. Like their 

 larger and distant relatives, they took the shorter road. As a gen- 

 eral rule, the little Apis enters in front. In this instance I can only 



Perceiving that the coveted material was to be had, at a great 

 saving of labor and time, as evidenced by the examples of Bombus 

 and Xylocopa, it had learned to profit thereby. 



Although the purpose for which nature had created the flowers 

 of Wistaria seemed to be defeated, viz., the propagation of its 



previous observations, yet I did not cease to give them attention 



watchfulness, by witnessing an individual of Bombus pens;/! r„ „!<•<( 

 enter a flower. After this I had the gratification of witnessing 

 similar operations performed by several others. 



In order that the process may be understood, it is necessary to 



p«i>i/<'o)t<(ceous flowers, the corolla is perigynous ; of five irregular 

 petals (rarely fewer). The upper or odd petal, called the vexillum, 



open is usually turned backward or spreading. The two lateral 



to the two lower petals; the last are counivent and more or less 

 coherent by their anterior margins, forming a body named the carina 

 or keel which usually encloses the stamens and pistil. The sta- 



which is cleft ,,n the upper side, that is. the side next to the stand- 

 <tr>l and the tenth or upper one separate. 



From the position of the stamens and pistils in a normal flower, 

 the former being curved forward and overhanging the latter, it would 

 seem that the object to be attained is the fertilization of the flower 

 by its own pollen. But a knowledge of the degree of perfection 



*uch opinion. The anthers have imt acquired their full develop- 

 ment, while the stigma is perfect, judging from the viscid secre- 



