[132]

Sep. 29 1876 Cata. tridentatum.

Placed in water at 38° 100F but did not explode instant pollinia, but after being left for 1° 30 I found the pollinia ejected spontaneously.

Before hand in an insensible condition to touch.

Begin on 2d occasion found it insensible, but on placing it in water &c &c

A stream of almost boiling water did not act but rendered [illeg] soft & flexible

[132v]

Better not say anything about elasticity of Hinge, as I find that the weight of pollen-masses causes are attached p. to stand at ∠ to th object, when held in reversed position. I believe that the pollinia by dangling at hinge drop into stigma cavity of the ♀ & are then brushed hard against the edges of the stigmatic chamber, but I had better say nothng on this head.

(I must now add 1 more species to those examined)

[133]

(296) Conclusion

Andrew Knight, Mr Laxton & myself, that a cross between two varieties increases immensely the height (in one case as 100 to 60) as well as the vigour of the offspring.

So that this case is almost exactly parallel with that of the Mimulus, in which a cross between plants self-fertilised for six previous generations gave the offspring no advantage over the self-fertilised plants of the seventh generation; whereas a cross by a fresh stock almost doubled their height & vigour & increased their fertility, above thirty fold.

[133v]

Sept 30th 76 Cat. tridentatum

put in water at 90° Fah. 32° Cent & on looking in 25' found p. ejected

Tried longer antenna with Sulp. Acid, no action then put in water ay 30 1/2 87° cent for about 20' & when I touched roughly antenna above placed where S. Acid had been p. was ejected

put flower in water at 30 1/2 87° Cent & left for 15' then tried tip of lower antennae with S. A. no effect afterwards touched the same antenna above where acid had been & p. ejected

Put 2 fl. in water for 45' at temp of 28° 83° Cent. & did not explode, afterwards when touched by bristle or needle exploded - I think in one case longer antenna most sensitive.

[in margin:] not mere mechanical action