GERARDIA PEDICULARIA. ^ FERN-LEAVED FALSE FOXGLOVE. I 35 



taken up for our illustration, a number of the rootlets had small 

 cellular granules at the end, and it is just possible that these are 

 intended for attachment and suction on roots with which they 

 may come in contact. 



An interesting observation in connection with Gcrardia pedi- 

 culai^ia, and the visits of bees to its flowers, has been placed on 

 record, in the " Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club " for 1S71, 

 by Mr. W. W. Bailey, of Providence, R. I. He found that the 

 bumblebees visited the flowers in great numbers ; but instead of 

 entering the flowers by their mouths for the nectar, they rested 

 on the upper surface, and then cut a slit, near the base, through 

 which they sipped their sweets. They do this in the petunia, 

 the red clover, the wistaria, and indeed in a large number of 

 other cases in which it is clearly seen that it is difficult for 

 them to enter by the regular " door " of the flower ; but as the 

 mouth of the flower of Gerardia is so large, it would seem more 

 convenient for the bees to enter by it than to take the trouble 

 of making a slit ; and this is the point of Mr. Bailey's observa- 

 tion. But it is evident that it is easier for the bee to stand on 

 the flower and cut it, which it can do without effort, than to 

 sustain itself on the lower part of the mouth and thrust its 

 head down the throat, and it is only reasonable to suppose that 

 insects have the power, to a certain extent, of finding out the 

 easiest ways of doing things. 



The flowers have a deliciously sweet odor, which makes 

 them very attractive to the wild-flower gatherer; but they 

 are poor material for bouquets, as they wither very rapidly 

 after gathering. It is remarkable, also, that, in drying 

 specimens for the herbarium, is is almost impossible to pre- 

 serve the green color. They invariably turn black, even with 

 the greatest care. 



" The foxgloves and the fern, 

 How gracefully they grow, 

 With grand, old oaks above them 

 And wavy grass below ! " 



