From Bine to Purple 



the tube. Now, there are two sets of stamens, three in each set 

 bearing pollen grains of different size and value. Whenever the 

 stigma is high, the two sets of stamens keep out of its way by 

 occupying the lowest and middle positions, or just where the 

 stigmas occur in the two other forms; or, let us say, whenever the 

 stigma is in one of the three positions, the different sets of sta- 

 mens occupy the other two. In a long series of experiments on 

 flowers occurring in two and three forms — dimorphic and tri- 

 tnorphic — Darwin proved that perfect fertility can be obtained 

 only when the stigma in each form is pollenized with grains car- 

 ried from the stamens of a corresponding height. For example, 

 a bee on entering the flower must get his abdomen dusted with 

 pollen from the long stamens, his chest covered from the middle- 

 length stamens, and his tongue and chin from the set in the bot- 

 tom of the tube nearest the nectary. When he flies off to visit 

 another tlower, these parts of his body coming in contact with 

 the stigmas that occupy precisely the position where the stamens 

 were in other individuals, he necessarily brushes off each lot of 

 pollen just where it will do the most good. Pollen brought from 

 high stamens, for example, to a low stigma, even should it reach 

 it, which is scarcely likely, takes little or no effect. Thus cross- 

 fertilization is absolutely essential, and in three-formed flowers 

 there are two chances to one of securing it. 



Wild Hyacinth, Sciila or Squill. Quamash 



{Ouamasia hyacinthina) Lily family 



{Sciila Fraseri of Gray) 



Flowers — Several or many, pale violet blue, or rarely white, in a 

 long, loose raceme; perianth of 6 equal, narrowly oblong, 

 widely spreading divisions, the thread-like filaments inserted 

 at their bases; style thread-like, with3-lobed stigma. Scape : 

 I to 2 ft. high, from egg-shaped, nearly black bulb, i to 

 \yi in. long. Leaves: Grass-like, shorter than flowering 

 scape, from the base. Fruit : A 3-angled, oval capsule con- 

 taining shining black seeds. 



Preferred Habitat — Meadows, prairies, and along banks of 

 streams. 



Flo7ijering Season — A p ri 1 — May. 



Distribution — Pennsylvania and Ohio westward to Minnesota, 

 south to Alabama and Texas. 



Coming with the crocuses, before the snow is off the ground, 

 and remaining long after their regal gold and purple chalices have 

 withered, the Siberian scillas sold by seedsmen here deserve a 

 place in every garden, for their porcelain-blue color is rare as it is 



6 



