62. 
Xotrs on Caladema Lcitifolla. 
S. A. NAT., VOL. XV. 
MARCH 27tii, 1934. 
in a state of vigorous activity. Simultaneously with the reduction 
of its width, the cleft undergoes a considerable increase in length 
owing to what appears to be separation of the cells along a line 
leading from the top of the gland upwards. The cells bordering 
this new portion of the central hollow become turgid and excrete 
nectar thus greatly increasing the active surface of the gland. 
A curious and interesting fact was noticed regarding one of 
the glands of a (lower which was examined. This flower, closed 
when found, had been fertilized by a pollinium which lay on the 
right-hand edge of the stigma (Fig. II). The gland underneath 
the fertilizing pollinium was quite dry, while the left-hand side 
gland was still freely secreting its nectar. There is no doubt that 
this is caused by the fact that, although to our eyes the stigma 
appears a simple organ, in this case it is formed from two func¬ 
tional, though completely confluent, stigmas and another stigma 
which lias lost its true powers and has taken the form of a sticky 
disc or rostellum. In the genus CcJaJeu'ia this rostellum is verv 
poorly developed and can scarcely be distinguished from the 
liinotional stigmatic surface. Evidently the nectar glands are in 
close association with the Junctional stigmas for we have seen 
that the excretion of nectar from a gland is greatly modified by 
the condition of its fellow stigma. No doubt in the past this 
would have been of service to the flower, for i{ one gland should 
piove dry through the pollination ot its associated stigma, an in¬ 
sect visitor would then be more likely to visit the other gland 
and thus have a tendency to put any further pollinia on the other 
side of the stigma* 
In the flower as it is at the present time, anv such advan¬ 
tage is useless, for the flower closes so quickly after pollination 
that leu insects would have any chance of aiding in more com¬ 
plete lettihzation. In most cases flowers of this species show a 
distinct reaction within 24 hours of pollination and by the end 
<ot 48 hours, closure is nearly finished. 
Although 1 have never seen the act of pollination, the shape 
° , 1 thc . J1 ? wer su ?gests that the method is very similar to that 
adopted m (.aladema Jet or mis. To enter the flower thc insect 
visitor would have to overcome thc barrier imposed bv the calli 
which stand m its path. This could be achieved bv vigorous 
exeitions with its legs as it enters while using the column at its 
lliciettt purchase. During this struggle or while 
„ vnn , i , ] lron \ lhe ne . ctar glands* the back of the insect 
on ebiNNl Tr th SeCrCt 4A the st ’£ mat > c surface and 
carried A A A T'A be drawn out their cells to be 
array on the back of the insect to another flower. There 
Dack to gam s 
-irinkinv its fill 
