Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstra75771917roya).pdf/336

 effect of the forcing of these apart is injury to the claws of the petals which serve as springs, so that after visits they are suffused with the black pigment in consequence of rupture of the epidermal laver. The other effect is due to the feet and head of the visitors which they use in their effort to prise the flower open. Invariably as a consequence of this two dark spots develop at the base of the standard one on either side near the brow over the way to the honey. It is to be noted that this injury is invariable. And often these two areas can be seen to be made up of three or four confluent injuries, each resulting in a complete perforation of the limb. Corresponding with them may be seen perforations of the wings, which are less commonly confluent from being more dispersed. But of the wings still there is invariably damage about f., and also especially at the corner j. These places are close to the folds whereby the wings and keel are interlocked, but beyond them. Presumedly the are at the points where the visitors get the best purchase.

In other parts of the standard and the wings there is but inconstant and slight damage done: and the keel which has the function of protecting the pollen rarely is marked except in its claws and sometimes at the very tip.

In about 5% of the falling flowers injury to the standard had occurred near b., and in less than 5% at c. In a greater percentage some injury occurred right at the tip. The wings are rarely damaged at k.

The evidence is very clear that every flower gets repeatedly visited. But only a small percentage set seed as over 90% fall entire. The remainder however are sufficient to supply what may be regarded as quite an abundant seed-crop.