ii8 THE STORY OF PLANT LIFE 



plastering up its cell. Prof. Wilson thus considers 

 this an instance of a flower adapted to cross-pollina- 

 tion by short-tongued insects. The anthers open as 

 soon as the honey commences to collect. The 

 stamens bend inwards towards the stigma, which 

 ripens at the same time, so that there is every possi- 

 bility of self-pollination, but it does not appear to be 

 effective. The flower is visited by a fair number of 

 insects for its honey. 



The capsule is leathery, open above, and the seeds 

 are blown out by the wind. 



It has been stated that this plant is Dyer's Weed 

 or Weld, and that it yields a yellow dye, but this 

 applies to Reseda Luteola. 



The meaning of Reseda is to assuage, due to a 

 belief that some of the species were instrumental in 

 mitigating pain. 



Pliny held that it charmed away various disorders, 

 that it grew near Rimini (formerly Ariminum), and 

 when used to reduce inflammation it was customary 

 to spit three times and to repeat these lines. 



" Reseda, cause these maladies to cease ; 

 Knowest thou, knowest thou, who has driven these pullets 



here ? 

 Let the roots have neither head nor foot." 



The only names by which it is known are Base 

 Rocket, Crambling Rocket. 



Reseda lutea. — The erect habit is well shown in 

 Fig. 19, aiid the raceme is seen to be crowded with 

 numerous flowers. 



