Sir,

I hope I may, without impertinence, send you a flower of Aquilegia alpina, from Switzerland from a height of, about 7000, or 8000 ft—

You will notice that each spur is eaten away as if the insects prefered a short cut to the nectary. I found the same had happened in all the full-blown flowers which I gathered— As I gathered the specimens in clouds, I saw no insects about—so that I am unable to say who were the robbers.

The probability, I am afraid, is that they were not Lepidoptera, or the case might have affected the subject treated in p. 51 of your “Orchids”:¹ I merely send the fact as possibly of use of you. Please do not trouble yourself to answer this in any way.

Y^r obedient Servant | F. E. Kitchener.

Has any one yet investigated the fertilization of the Stapelia, to see, whether the putrid smell may be regarded as a mimetic resemblance to carrion, which benefits the plant by attracting flies, under false pretences of its being a suitable place to lay their eggs?²