324 THE STORY OF PLANT LIFE 



of the stigmas, or at the same time. As the stigma 

 exceeds the stamens in length insects will touch it 

 first, and thus cross-pollination is ensured. But self- 

 pollination is possible, as in other pendulous flowers, 

 in the absence of insect visitors. The sweet scent of 

 the flowers, in spite of the plant being a shade-lover, 

 adds to the chances of insect-poUination. 



Being attractive and conspicuous the scarlet berries 

 are dispersed by birds. 



Several common names are enumerated in the 

 * Dictionary of English Plant Names,' as Conval Lily, 

 Great Lily, Park Lily, May Lily, Wood Lily, Lily- 

 among-thorns, Lily-conval, Liricon Fancy, May 

 Blossoms, Mugwet, Valleys. 



Lady chapels in the past were decorated with the 

 Lily- of-the- Valley amongst other flowers, each in 

 their season. Several names above denote its special 

 season of flowering. It must not be confounded with 

 the other May Lily, Maianthemunt ConvallariUf a much 

 rarer plant. 



As to its uses Gerard says : " Flowers of Lily-of- 

 the- Valley being close stopped up in a glass, put into 

 an ant-hill, and taken away again a month after, ye 

 shall find a liquor in the glass, which being outwardly 

 applied helpeth the gout." 



In flower language it denoted the return of happi- 

 ness and unconscious sweetness, being a May flower, 

 flowering in May, with its bright sun and wealth of 

 bird song and flowers. In Hesse a toll of May 

 flowers was required every year for rent. The Lily- 



