Abstract
PHILADELPHIA Academy of Natural Sciences, June 3.—Dr. Ruschenberger in the chair.—“Fertilisation of Pedicularis canadensis.” Mr. Thomas Meehan drew attention to the structure of the flower of Pedicularis canadensis, in which it was evident self-impregnation was impossible, and there seemed to be no special arrangements for fertilisation by distinct agency, as there were in so many allied plants. In this case the stamens were included in the closely compressed arch of the corolla, and, with the anthers, were directed retrorsely to the pistil, which at an early stage, and long before the maturity of the pollen, was protruded beyond the corolla, rendering self-fertilisation almost impossible in this flower. But the flowers were always abundantly fertile, and though the arrangements were such as seemingly to afford no chance even for insects to aid in the fertilisation, it was also probable that in some way it was accomplished by them. Both last season and this he had devoted some time to watching the plant, but failed to find any clue to the proccss. A species of Bombus seemed to have the plant especially under its charge, visiting the flowers in great numbers; but they bored through the corolla on the outside of the tube for the saccharine matter, and the anthers or pollen did not seem to be in the least disturbed by this. Still it was so highly probable that in some way some insect aided in the cross-fertilisation of these flowers, that it might serve a useful purpose to direct attention to it, as others with time and opportunity might discover what he had failed to find.
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Societies and Academies . Nature 8, 520 (1873). https://doi.org/10.1038/008520a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/008520a0