702 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



of the stalk in flowers, in ripening fruits, and in those that are ready to 

 distribute their seeds. It is not possible to mention more than a very 

 few of these. Several new examples are given of movements of the stalk 

 in fruit similar to the Arena, Oxalis, and Primula types, but it is shown 

 that species of the same genus often behave differently. This is well 

 shown in Trifolium, where, in some species, the stalk moves down- 

 wards in fruit and in others is quite unchanged. In the Veronica type 

 the stalk is close to the stem before flowering, moves outwards whilst 

 flowering proceeds, and again draws close to the stem whilst the fruit is 

 ripening. Many new examples are given of the Strawberry type, in 

 which the stalk of the fruit turns towards the earth or under the leaves. 

 Many Orchids and others turn the stalk of the flower downwards as soon 

 as it blooms, but show no movement in fruit. Other cases are given of 

 Banuuadacece, &c, in which the stalk is, in flower, upright, but turns 

 below water to allow the fruit to ripen. Euphorbia Peplis and other 

 prostrate plants bury their ripening fruits in the sand under the plant. 

 A very large number of examples are given of sepals, calyx-tubes, and 

 bracts which shut closely over the ripening fruit, as in many Caryo- 

 phyllacecB, Labiates, and Acanthacece. Other tropical plants show similar 

 movements to keep out injurious insects, such as the turned-back sepal 

 teeth or turned-down bracts of some African Labiatcv. A sort of cleistogamy 

 is shown to be produced, not only by dry weather, but also by insufficient 

 light or temperature during cold, wet weather. New examples are given 

 of "sleeping" leaves and paraheliotropic leaves. A great number of 

 Leguminosce possess sensitive leaves. The filaments of Amberboa, of 

 Opuntia spp., and of Grewia sp., and the styles of Tecoma spp. and 

 Arctotis spp., are also sensitive to contact. Colour change is also 

 mentioned in the flowers of several orders. The knotted swellings at the 

 base of the internode in some Umbelliferce, Grasses, Polygonacece, 

 Labiatce, &c, are to be explained by various adaptations. They may be 

 intended to give mechanical support to the stem, which is often weak, 

 or protection against wind and rain, or to act as stores of water or food- 

 material, or to uplift the stem by geotropic sensitiveness after it has been 

 thrown down.— G. F. S.-E. 



Malay Polypodies. 



Myrmecophilous Ferns, two Malayan: PolypocHtm {Le- 

 canoptcris) carnosum (Blume), and Polypodium sinuosum, Wall. 

 By ^R. H. Yapp, B.A. (Ann. Bot. vol. xvi. No. lxii. p. 185; 

 pis. 10, 11, 12, figs. 1-51). — This paper is an interesting result of the 

 author's visit to the Siamese Malay States as a member of the Cam- 

 bridge expedition of 1899-1900, under the leadership of Mr. W. W. 

 Skoat. The anatomy, biology, and systematic position of these Ferns 

 are fully dealt with. They are found to be specifically distinct and 

 differing widely in external appearance, "yet an examination of their 

 internal structure reveals the fact that, after all, their resemblances are 

 more remarkable than their differences, and that, instead of being placed 

 in separate genera, they must be recognised as closely allied species." 

 Both are epiphytes of the Malay region, P. carnosum growing at an 

 elevation of GOO feet and above, while P. sinuosum is often found almost 



