Fertilisation of Flowers by Insects

Abstract

IN reply to Mr. Swanton's letter, I have not heard of any moth from Madagascar with an exceptionally long proboscis. I think, however, I did hear of one from East Africa with a proboscis nearly the length required; but as entomologists do not usually open out and measure the length of proboscis of all the large Sphingidæ they receive, some of the required length may exist unnoticed in our public or private collections. An inquiry at the insect departments of the Natural History Museum, and also of that of the Jardin des Plantes, would perhaps afford Mr. Swanton the required information.