THE FLOWER 



263 



useful service iu carrying their pollen to the next flower. What 

 they seek and find in the flowers is first of all a sweet juice, 

 called nec>ar- (It is not honey, but becomes honey in the body 

 of the bee.) This sweet liquid is secreted by certain glands 

 forming the yiectary which may belong to any of the floral parts, 

 calyx, corolla, stamen, pistil or receptacle (c/. Gloriosa, Mango, 

 Aristolochia, Bindweed). In addition, there are often streaks or 

 dots upon the corolla pointing the way to the nectar; such 

 nectar-guides are seen, for instance, in the Mango. The nectar 

 is generally hidden away in the depths of the flower, and the in- 

 sect must, therefore, either be furnished with a long tongue, like 

 butterflies and moths, 

 or must actually get 

 its body right into the 

 corolla, like the bee. 

 The humble bee, for in- 

 stance, when visiting 

 alabiate flower, alights 

 on the lower lip of the 

 corolla, which is ad- 

 mirably suited for a landing place. The weight of the insect 

 naturally bears the flow^er down, and, as the bee pushes its body 

 into the throat of the flower to reach the nectar at the bottom, 

 its back comes in contact with the anthers and rubs oft' some of 

 the pollen. This is unconsciously carried to the next flower 

 visited, and some is rubbed oft' by the style. 



Besides nectar, many flowers ofter them their pollen as food. 

 Several flowers possess no nectar at all, but instead of it plenty 

 of pollen in their numerous stamens (Po^jpy, Rose). These flowers 

 are erect and have the , shape of shells or cups, so that the 

 falling dust may not be spilt and lost (page 8). 



Some flowers offer their visitors nice and snug homes to live 

 in for a while (Aroidece, Aristolochia) ; and the Banyan tree even 

 allows the small midges that can enter the little openings of the 

 flgs, to lay their eggs in the figs (page 118). 



(6) How the plants attract visitors, (i) Colours. — The petals 

 of the flowers are usually brightly coloured, and are readily 



Fig. 24 7. — Bee visiting' the flower of Salvia. 



