Asks JD to observe Leschenaultia formosa to verify CD’s hypothesis of how it is fertilised. Also suggests an experiment to determine whether it is fertilised by nocturnal insects.

Reports observations on the fertilisation of Goodeniaceae, and particularly Leschenaultia. [See 2992.]

Observations of Brunonia and a case of a malvaceous flower, which never opened and was self-fertilised.

JD’s letter of 17 Sept about Leschenaultia not seeding is surprising. CD’s experiments point to insects which, though perhaps not indispensable to their fertilisation, are useful to it. Would like to know whether the flower of Leschenaultia is visited by bees or other insects.

JD’s offer to send seeds of Distylis and the other genus is of greatest possible interest.

Responds to JD’s letter [2944]. Would like to know whether bees extract pollen from within the indusium of Leschenaultia. He suspects they brush over and partly open the indusium while sucking nectar from the flower.

Asks also about malvaceous plant that set seed although its flower never opened.

Has been watching the achenia of the plant sent by JD and, if Hooker agrees, will publish a note on it ["Achenia of Pumilio argyrolepis", Collected papers 2: 36–8].