66 
NATURE NOTES 
present their hard backs to any visiting insect. The visits of 
the Bombylii (of which Dr. Weiss saw an average of two a day), 
if effecting anything at all, would naturally do less than even 
that of the Anthophora, as the Bombylii have the slenderest form 
of proboscis ; they usually, too, though not always, hover (like 
the day-flying humming-bird hawk-moth) over the flowers they 
visit ; and it would be the same with them as with the Antho- 
phora if they touched the anthers of the short-styled. So the 
only two sets of insects which effect pollination at all could not 
possibly by the numbers seen measurably affect, for pollination, 
“ the large patches of primroses.” 
Dr. Weiss says in reference to the other position, “ the large 
primrose-covered areas at the foot of Caer Caradoc — I looked in 
vain for insect visitors ; ” and again “ the absence of insects was 
very marked.” 
Dr. Weiss also makes the circumstance of his meeting with 
an occasional specimen of the “ so-called oxlip, the hybrid 
between P. acmilis (primrose) and P. officinalis (cowslip) ” an 
argument that “ cross-pollination in this district must be a pretty 
general phenomenon.” “ There can, I think,” Dr. Weiss con- 
tinues, “ be no doubt that these hybrids owe their origin to the 
cross-pollination by insects ” and “ the occurrence of a fair 
number of hybrids argues a considerable frequency of insect- 
visitors to the parents.” But Dr. Weiss’ own experience 
showed that there was no such considerable frequency ; but 
this argument is based on the supposition that the common 
oxlip is a hybrid. Of this there is no positive proof. It is 
probably only a variety as is the Bardfield oxlip (P. elatior). 
Linnaeus, with whom Bentham agrees, treats them all — primrose, 
cowslip, Bardfield oxlip, as mere varieties of one another, Ben- 
tham saying (“ Eng. Bot.,” p. 353), “ some since Linnaeus have 
considered them as distinct and constant species, but more 
recent investigation has shown that Linnaeus' views are correct.” 
Even if the oxlip were a hybrid, it is quite as probable, — or in my 
opinion — from the rarity of insect-visitors to both cowslip and 
primrose — more probable, that the wind would in such a case be 
the agency. 
Dr. Weiss, in his pamphlet, cites my own observations from 
“The Primrose and Darwinism,” in reference to insect-visitors. 
“ Only four long-tongued insect-visitors were observed by “ Field 
Naturalist,” after seeing and examining thousands and thousands, 
we might say millions, of primroses.” These four were Antho- 
phora pilipes, Bomhylius discolor, the Brimstone butterfly {Goneptcrix 
rhanint), and the cabbage butterfly [Pieris brassicoc). These also 
were only seen on one occasion each. Since, however, we have 
seen one humble bee (P. lapidarius). This made only a momen- 
tary visit to a flower, though there were many primroses 
immediately near, and after trying the flower flew away. 
Mr. T. A. Briggs, who gives his observations made in the 
neighbourhood of Plymouth as to the fertilisation of the prim- 
