2 grains weight of seed, and thirteen other
very poor capsules, which were rejected. Five plants protected from
insects, but otherwise exposed to the same conditions as the above
plants, produced sixteen fine capsules, and twenty other very poor and
rejected ones. The sixteen fine capsules contained seeds by weight in
such proportion that twenty-four would have yielded 4.66 grains. So that
the unprotected plants produced nearly thrice as many seeds by weight as
the protected plants.
Leschenaultia formosa (Goodeniaceae).--Quite sterile. My experiments on
this plant, showing the necessity of insect aid, are given in the
'Gardeners' Chronicle' 1871 page 1166.
Senecio cruentus (Compositae).--Quite sterile: see my account of
self-sterile plants.
Heterocentron mexicanum (Malastomaceae).--Quite sterile; but this
species and the following members of the group produce plenty of seed
when artificially self-fertilised.
Rhexia glandulosa (Melastomaceae).--Set spontaneously only two or three
capsules.
Centradenia floribunda (Melastomaceae).--During some years produced
spontaneously two or three capsules, sometimes none.
Pleroma (unnamed species from Kew) (Melastomaceae).--During some years
produced spontaneously two or three capsules, sometimes none.
Monochaetum ensiferum (Melastomaceae).--During some years produced
spontaneously two or three capsules, sometimes none.
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