406 
PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION D. 
Although I watched some plants closely, I did not observe that any 
insects paid systematic visits to the flowers. It is probable that, if not 
cross-fertilised, the position of the anthers crowded closelv round the 
stigma conduces to self-fertilisation. 
MELIACEyE. 
Synoum glandulosum , J uss. — In this plant there are four white 
petals ; the eight stamens form a tube, and are slightly cottony on the 
inner surface. The stigma is disc-shaped, and almost touches the 
anthers with its edge in young ilowers, but afterwards grows up slightly 
above them. The ovulary is hairy. The flowers have a strong, rich 
scent, especially in the evening, and attract multitudes of butterflies, 
moths, bees, flies, and beetles. Among the butterflies frequenting I 
have observed Casyctpa be at a (which I think must be crepuscular in its 
habits, as I never saw it before twilight), Fapilio Macleayanus, 
P. erectlieus , and several of the Pieridm and Hesperida*. It is pro- 
bably insect-fertilised, but some hitch evidently occurs, for a tree near 
my house bore continuously large quantities of flowers from September, 
1892, till August, 1898, and during that period was constantly visited 
by insects, vet it did not bear a single fruit. Another in a more retired 
situation bore flowers for about a month, and was less visited by 
insects, yet it is now so loaded with fruit that the limbs bend down- 
wards. Yet examination of the stigmata in the first plant showed that 
they were all smeared with a mixture of pollen and a glutinous liquid, 
probably secreted by the stigma. Microscopic observations, however, 
failed to show that any pollen tubes were emitted. The buds are 
sometimes infested with the larva? of a small beetle, which feeds on the 
pollen, and drops to the ground to undergo metamorphosis. 
MALVACEAE. 
Pavonia hastata , Caw — This plant bears cleistogatnous flowers 
during the spring and summer months, which always ripen seed. But 
in the hotter part of the summer very attractive crimson and white 
flowers open in quantities, and are fertilised by bees and beetles which 
visit them frequently. These flowers do not invariably bear seed. 
Hibiscus hetcropJiyllus , Vent. — I merely mention this species 
because, although it bears large numbers of conspicuous, white and 
crimson, scented flowers, I have never yet seen it visited by any large 
insects, and it is not much frequented by smaller ones. Its large white 
sweet blossoms seem to point to fertilisation by night-flying insects ; but 
here (Illawarra, Y.S.W .) it usually opens very early in the morning, 
and withers before night. It invariably bears seed, so that it is pro- 
bably visited by some insects ; but, so far, I have failed to detect them. 
The flowers open most freely on a misty cool day succeeding a very 
hot one. 
STERCULIACE^E. 
Commersonia Fraseri , Gay. — The flowers, which are exceedingly 
numerous, are strongly proterandrous, but in addition to this they 
are well provided with contrivances to prevent insects going from the 
anthers to the stigma of the same flower. The petals are much widened 
at the base, forming wings, and these curl over so as to make a tunnel 
to the fertile stamens, which are five in number. Each fertile stamen is 
