330 THE STORY OF PLANT LIFE 



a small bract at the base of each ultimate flower-stalk. 

 These last are curved, but erect in bud and in fruit, 

 the bracts being paired, linear, membranous. The 

 perianth is bell-shaped, or tubular, the segments 

 spreading at the ends, distinct or shortly united below. 

 The stamens are attached to the perianth-segments 

 below the middle, but some way above the base. 

 The capsule is nearly round, three-angled. 



From 6 to i8 in. is the height of the Bluebell, which 

 flowers in April and May, being a herbaceous 

 perennial. 



Honey is secreted by glands in the septa of the 

 ovary, being more or less free. The pendulous 

 position of the flower ensures that it will be protected 

 from the rain. The flowers are sweet-scented and 

 growing in wide patches are conspicuous, as they are 

 indeed individually. Numerous insect visitors may 

 be watched at the flowers, and cross-pollination is 

 the natural sequence. 



After the capsule, which is three-valved, is ripe and 

 opens, the seeds, which are numerous, are dispersed 

 by the wind. 



Being so popular a plant it is natural that there 

 are many English names, which, following Britten 

 and Holland, are : BeU-bottle, Hare Bell, Wood 

 Bells, Bloody Man's Fingers, Blue Bell, Blue Bottle, 

 Blue Gramfer Greygles, Blue Rocket, Crake-feet, 

 Craw-feet, Craw-flower, Craw-taes, Craw-tees, Cross- 

 flower, Crow-bells, Crow-flower, Crowfoot, Crowleek, 

 Craw-toes, Cuckoo, Cuckoo-flower, Cuckoo's Stock- 



