THE BINDWEED FAMILY 



89 



and covered by a pad-like body secreting nectar. Butterflies 

 which wish to sip from the nectar, must needs thrust their tongues 

 through, one of the live narrow passages formed by the bases of 

 the stamens, and thus come in contact with the pollen to polli- 

 nate another flower when they go to visit it. Towards evening 

 (And the exact hour) the petals fold up like the folds of a fan, 

 their visitors having also retired. 



The fruit is a berry with four large seeds. 



Other Bindweeds. 



l]}om(ea is a very characteristic genus of this family. It has 

 a dry dehiscing fruit, which distinguishes this genus from the 

 genus Argyreia. 



The Moon Creeper (i. bona-nox) has long-tubed white flowers, 

 opening at night. 



The Needle Creeper (/. quamoclit), a very common garden 

 weed, has pinnatisect leaves, the segments being needle-shaped. 



Fig. 86.- 



batalqs 



The Sweet Potato Plant (/• batatas; Kan. Sigenasu) is 

 cultivated for its tuberous roots. /. eriocarpa (Kan. Mulliballi; 



