THE CANTERBURY BELL FAMILY 403 



The method of pollination in the genus is typical of that of 

 the order. The anthers ripen before the stigmas, and the 

 pollen is discharged on to the hairs on the outside of 

 the style, which at this time is closed, but afterwards divides 

 into two arms. The pollen is carried up by the growing 

 style, but cannot reach the stigmatic surfaces, which are 

 closely pressed together. On the hairy tip of the style it is 

 presented to incoming insects, which remove it to other 

 flowers. Honey is secreted at the base of the style by a disk, 

 and is, in most Campanulaceae, protected by the expanded 

 base of the filament, so that it can only be obtained by an 

 insect which can insert its proboscis into the narrow slit, 

 between two adjacent stamens. This arrangement, and the 

 drooping habit of the flower, show that plants of this family 

 are specially adapted for bee pollination, though other insects 

 may also visit them. 



As the pistil ripens, the two arms of the style separate, 

 disclosing the papillose stigmas, and finally become recurved. 

 They are right in the way of any insect which may enter the 

 flower, or endeavour to obtain the honey at the foot of the 

 bell. Thus cross-pollination is likely to be effected ; but, if 

 this fails, then the recurvature of the stigmas against the 

 pollen-covered surface of their own styles, will secure self- 

 pollination ; so that, in one way or another, fertilization is 

 ensured. The flowers of Pratia, Lobelia, and Colensoa, are 

 similar to those of Wahlenhergia. In Pratia, the white 

 corolla is provided with purple guide-fines, leading back to the 

 honey-glands at the base of the flower. 



Genus Lobelia. 



Erect or ascending, milky herbs. Leaves alternate. Flowers racemose or 

 axillary. Corolla-tube split to the base down the back, 2-lipped ; ovary 2-celled. 

 Capsule usually dehiscing by 2 valves at the top. (Named after a Flemish 

 botanist). A large and widely-spread genus, of which several species are 

 commonly grown in gardens. 3 sp. 



