THALAMIFLORiE 91 



hinged and attached only by the tip. These enclose 

 the anthers, etc. There are six stamens, which are 

 in two groups united by the stalks. The anthers of 

 each middle stamen are two-celled, the others one- 

 celled. The three stamens form three sides of a 

 square, the stigma, which is horn-like, standing in 

 the middle. There is a nectary at the base of the 

 upper group of stamens. The ovary is one-celled 

 and contains but one ovule, one not developing. 

 The fruit is globular. The seed is albuminous with 

 a very small embryo. 



The Fumitory flowers from May to September, and 

 is a herbaceous annual. It varies in height from 

 6 to 12 in. or 18 in. 



As will be seen from the foregoing account of the 

 floral mechanism, the Fumitory is adapted to insect 

 pollination. The honey-gland lies in the enlarged 

 base of the upper petal. The hinging of the middle 

 petals enables an insect visitor to press them down, 

 and as a result the insect, or, possibly, the stigma, is 

 dusted with pollen. When the insect leaves the 

 petals return to their position as before. The flower 

 may be self-fertile. It does not seem to be visited 

 by many insects, and not often by the hive-bee. It 

 is adapted to visits by all kinds of insects, the honey 

 being easily accessible, and this is assuredly necessary, 

 for it flowers when many other attractive flowers 

 are in bloom, and has often to rely on self-pollination, 

 which is effective as each flower bears fruit. Bees 

 visit the flowers, and, possibly, nocturnal insects. 



