146 Field Notes at San Eviidio. [zoe 



Eschscholtzia Calif or nica so glows with the sunbeams caught 

 in its chalice that it diflfuses light upon the other flowers and the 

 grass. It wnll not shine unless the sun beams upon it but folds 

 itself up and goes to sleep. It is fertilized in the bud. 



Platystemo7i Californicus offers some unknown attraction to 

 the bees. They ignore every other flower in their attentions to 

 this creamy beauty. It, too, is fertilized in the bud. The 

 petals and stamens persist until the pods are quite large. 



Gilia tricolor, that most attractive little plant whose flowers 

 the children call " Birds'-Eyes," has such a bright, cheerful look, 

 such dainty coloring, so sweet a perfume, that none of the other 

 blossoms can equal it in charm. When the light breezes pass 

 over them they dance along the grass, look up so brightly and 

 nod and smile. The flower is not fertilized in the bud but may 

 be self-fertilized afterwards. The stigmas surpass the anthers, 

 and when the blue pollen is being discharged the style branches 

 are short and do not spread much. Later, they grow very long 

 and curve around so as to meet the anthers. 



At about four o'clock in the afternoon Gilia dichotoma begins 

 to whiten the hillsides. Before expansion the flowers are hardly 

 noticeable; the dull pink of the edges which are not covered in 

 the convolute corolla hides their identity and makes the change, 

 which takes place when they unveil their radiant faces to the 

 setting sun, the more startling. They intend to watch all night 

 and by sunset all are awake. In the morning they roll up their 

 petals again when dajdight comes on, and when the sun is well 

 up all are asleep, tired out wnth the vigil of the night. The 

 odor is most sickening. I watched them in the afternoon, at 

 night, and in the early morning, and saw no insect approach. 

 The stamens and pistil are deep down in the long tube of the 

 corolla and it must generally be self-fertilized. The same flower 

 opens several times and grows larger as it grows older. 



Now, in the early morning, when Gilia dichotoma is about 

 to retire, it is time for Oenothera bistorta to awaken and act as 

 sentinel through the day. It is not fertilized in the bud, but 

 self-fertilization is possible, though the style is longer than the 

 stamens. As the style is deflexed towards the lower part of the 

 flower which faces the sun and is not erect until mid-day, it can 



