446 



THE POLEMOXIALES 



regions. The flower of the toadflax (Linaria) illustrates a com- 

 mon type of the figwort family (Fig. 333). Such flowers are 

 said to be personate, that is bilabiate but with the under lip 

 arched so as to meet the upper lip and entirely closing the mouth 

 of the corolla. This arrangement very effectively protects the 

 microspores and conceals the nectar and it requires a rather 

 muscular insect alighting upon the knobbed lower lip to force 

 his way into the flower. It is worth anv one's time to sit bv 





FiG- 333- Examples of the figwort family: A, inflorescence of the toad 

 flax (Linaria). B, flower viewed from beneath, showing the under lip 

 arching up against the upper, two-lobed lip — s, nectar spur of the corolla. 

 C, section of the flower viewed from the side, showing the undivided 

 ovary with central ovules. Note the stigma and anthers concealed at the 

 lips of the corolla. D, sectional view of flower of Rhinanthus with the 

 four stamens arranged in pairs. E, appearance of the stamens as viewed 

 from the mouth of the corolla. The filaments have been pressed apart, 

 thus separating the opened anthers. 



this plant and examine the mechanism of the flower while the 

 bee is at work. The sporophylls present the same variety of 

 arrangements for crossing as noted in the mints. The nectar 

 glands are situated at the base of the carpels but the nectar does 

 not remain upon the glands as in the majority of flowers, but 



