134 Plants mid their Ways in South Africa 



withers and closes to prevent the pollen from getting brushed 

 off. This is a sign that the honey season is over, and no more 

 insects need apply. 



Antholyza has no noticeable markings on the brilliant 

 coloured perianth, as irregular flowers usually have, to advertise 

 their sweets. The upper petals are transparent, and the light 

 shining through brings into prominence the veining which may 

 indicate the way to refreshments. A transparency is of little 

 value unless a light shines through it. Flowers that open in 

 a shaded room have a much lighter colour. The pigment that 

 gives the flowers their brilliancy is often concentrated in bright 

 patches on the three lower parts of the perianth, where irregular 

 flowers of this order are usually marked. 



Why are the flowers all turned in the same direction on the 

 stem ? If they turn toward the light the transparency would 

 lose its effect. Do you find them turned 

 toward the light or away from it? At 

 which end of the flower-stalk does the 

 visiting insect begin when in quest of 

 honey? Do difterent insects have the 

 same habit? Maybe you can already 

 answer some of the questions. If you 

 cannot, it will pay you to watch with us. 



Although so many flowers are designed 

 to attract insects, some flowers are self- 

 fertilized. The violet has inconspicuous 

 flowers late in the season. They never 

 open, and ' so have to be self-fertilized. 

 Some species of Oxalis and Stapelia also 

 have closed flowers after the others have 

 withered. In early times such extra- 

 vagance as brilliant colour, honey, and 

 choice perfume were not indulged in by 

 plants when the wind was the only method 

 of transporting pollen. An abundance of 

 pollen had to be provided in those days, as the wind is a 

 wasteful messenger. The conifers doubtless shed their pollen 

 to the breeze before the hum of flies and bees had been heard. 



Fig. 147. — The swing- 

 ing anthers of grasses 

 scatter their pollen in 

 the wind, which the 

 feathery stigma catches. 

 (From Thoin6 and Ben- 

 nett's " Structural and 

 Physiological Botany.") 



