356 Scott Elliot,— On the Fertilisation of South 
tion is not entirely excluded, for some of the pollen remains 
in h (compare Schulz, Macleod No. 516 a). In the great 
excentricity, only approached by P. myrtifolia (Muller, 
Nos. 178 and 360), and in the greater relative length and 
depth of the carina, this species departs widely from those 
hitherto described ( P . Chamaebuxus , comosa, myrtifolia , 
vulgaris , alpestris , etc. Muller, p. 122, Nos. 609, 352, 360; 
Macleod, Nos. 217, 516 a). — Near Cape Town. 
Polygala myrtifolia, L. 
The flowers are not so excentric, but otherwise similar 
to those of the preceding species. The stamens dehisce 
early and the pollen is heaped up on the upper hollow part of 
the style which is turned very slightly to the right side. 
When an insect alights upon the brush, the style catches 
on the edges of the carinal pouch, and is carried back a little 
way ; then, being set free, it springs back elastically and the 
pollen is jerked out with some force. Even in the resting 
position it has a slight tension, and when carefully removed 
from the carina springs upwards. Visitors : — Xylocopa 
violacea , ab. — Near Capetown. 
Muraltia Heist eria, DC. (Figs. 7, 8.) 
The genus Muraltia carries even further the curious 
similarity of Polygalaceae to Leguminosae pointed out by 
Delpino (Muller, No. 178), for in this genus there is an 
explosive mechanism quite as well marked as in Genista. 
The rigid sepals overlap one another and are ciliate at the 
margin to prevent the entrance of unnecessary insects. The 
superior lateral petals have extremely thick rigid claws 
(cl, see Figs.), and lie in close contact with one another above 
the carina. The latter is formed of the anterior and the two 
inferior lateral petals which are united to form a tubular 
sheath enclosing the staminal cylinder and style. Their ends, 
however, are free and form a broad attractive surface about 
one-third of an inch in diameter. The upper margins 
of the tubular petal-sheath above mentioned are extremely 
thick, and form ledge-like protuberances on its inner side. 
