METHODS OF POLLINATION. 31 



species has not two forms of flowers, and can set seed 

 on its own account. 



I will describe one more example. The common 

 Lucerne is now grown so extensively in the Colony 

 that you will probably have little difficulty in pro- 

 curing some flowers. The little purple flowers belong 

 to the pea and bean family ; there are five petals — the 

 large one at the back is called the " standard," the two 

 at the side are the ''wings," and the two (coherent) 

 petals form a boat-like structure, called the " keel." 



The stamens and single carpel are lying concealed 

 within the keel. If you thrust a pencil-point down 

 the groove of the standard, in imitation of a bee, the 

 flower suddenly explodes, for the stamens rise up and 

 curl towards the standard ; so that if a bee is in front 

 of it, it gets a shower of pollen. 



Some of the Polygalas, of which you can easily get 

 flowers, as they are very common, behave in the same 

 way. The blossoms are not unlike that of a pea in 

 appearance, though their real structure is very different. 



A great many other ways of pollinating flowers by 

 insects exist; and you will find it a very interesting 

 amusement to examine all sorts of flowers and trying 

 to discover how it is done in each case. 



Self-pollination. — We must now turn to the third 

 method of pollination — that is, by a flower's own 

 stamens. As a general rule, such flowers as are never, 

 or very rarely, visited by insects are small, inconspicuous. 



