lo SOUTH AFRICAN FLOWERING PLANTS. 



Sometimes a complete ring is formed all round 

 within the flower. This is called the Disc, from which 

 the honey may be poured or " secreted " as we say. 

 Honey may also occur in some part of the floral whorls 

 themselves. Thus, it is at the bottom of the sepals in 

 Abu'tilon, Hihis'cus, and Mallow, or in " pockets/' 

 " spurs," and other processes on the petals. Occasion- 

 ally the stamens supply it, and not infrequently the 

 external base, or it may be the top of the ovary which 

 provides the honey. In all flowers, however, it is just 

 where the insects can most easily reach it.^ 



The Uses of the Reproductive Organs. — Let us now 

 see what are the uses of all these parts. The calyx 

 was of use before the flower opened, as its five sepals 

 wrapped up the young stamens and pistil, and so pro- 

 tected them in the bud. The corolla is of use for 

 making the flower very bright, and easily seen by 

 insects which come for honey or pollen as food. The 

 stamens shed the dust-like pollen from the anthers, 

 and this powder is a most important substance, for 

 without it there can be no seed ; since it is found that 

 some of the ixill(m-(jrains must be applied to the top of 

 each stigma, which is rough and sticky so as to retain 



^ In all cases the teaclier should make the pupils write down 

 every technical term, so that the correct spelling be ensured at once ; 

 for if an error is made at starting, it is very apt to cling to the pupil 

 for a long while. The teacher must decide as to the number of 

 technical terms to be learnt at each lesson. I would suggest not 

 more than four or five at most, at least for the younger pupils. 



