SNOW DROP 113 
%) 
This harbinger of spring, as it has been called, is about 6 in. in 
height. The Snowdrop is in flower between January and March. It 
is perennial and propagated by offsets. 
The flowers are sweet-scented and contain a moderate supply of 
honey, which is secreted in the green grooves on the inner sides of the 
flower, and the honey is sheltered from rain by the pendulous posi- 
tion of the latter and the perianth leaves. The flowers are open from 
10 a.m. till 4 p.m., when they close. There are 6 anthers which mature 
Photo, J. Holmes 
Snowprop (Galanthus nivalis, L.) 
at the same time as the stigma. They are close to the style and open 
by 2 terminal slits, pollen falling out when they are touched. The 
anther processes form a cone and end in rigid points, being touched by 
a bee and shaken so that pollen drops down when the insect is seeking 
honey. The insect touches the stigma with pollen from a previous 
flower before it touches the anthers, as the stigma is longer than the 
latter. If the flower is not visited by insects it is self-pollinated. The 
pistil is white, or only green, at first, above the middle. 
lhe honey bee clings to the perianth dusting itself with pollen on 
the head. It sweeps the pollen with its brushes and fore- and mid-legs 
into baskets on its hind-legs. It is visited by hive bees. When 
insects are absent the anther-stalks become loose, the anthers diverge, 
and pollen falls on the stigma. 
Vou. IIT. 38 
