The Fertilisation of Jasminum nudiflorum

THIS well known plant, in accordance with its usual habit, has been flowering in my garden at Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, since the third week in December, 1904, and amidst frost and snow and cold winds. There are no leaves, but there are thousands of bright yellow flowers. It is a puzzle to me how fertilisation is effected. The two stamens are situated about half-way down the tube of the corolla, and about four or five millimetres below the style, which is, in many cases, two millimetres longer than the tube of the corolla. It seems to me to be a plant requiring the aid of insects in its fertilisation, but there are no insects to be seen at this time of the year. On January 22, as there was some sunshine, I watched the plant for about four hours, but no insect paid it a visit. At the same time I found the oblong anthers had split and pollen grains were sticking to the stigma in many flowers. The brilliantly coloured flowers, although destitute of scent, are fitted to attract insects, and the form of the flower seems adapted for their visits. But there are no insects ! Can anyone offer an explanation? The plant is beautifully figured in the Botanical Magazine, lxxviii., tab. 4649.