Bugloss and Scorpion Grass 237 
style lengthens until it is longer than the long stamens, 
the free end divides into two branches, and the tips 
of these branches are the stigmas. It lies beyond 
and above the anthers, so that no bee, large or small, 
can enter the flower without touching it and pollinat- 
ing the stigmas, if it has previously visited a younger 
flower. Miiller found that two species of bees (Osmia) 
get their own food, and that for their progeny, ex- 
clusively from this flower. 
Borage (Borago officinalis), though not a native, is 
frequently found in waste places where garden refuse 
has been thrown at some time or other, and it is 
worthy of notice because the mechanism for fertilisa- 
tion is so similar to that of the Violet. The plant is 
more densely clothed with short hairs than Viper’s 
Bugloss, the object being to repel slugs and other 
depredators, who would soon destroy a plant with so 
succulent a stem. The nodding flowers have a brief 
corolla-tube, from which radiate the five somewhat 
triangular and intensely bright-blue petals. The 
stamens are dark purple, with stout filaments, a series 
of notched scales at their base closing the tube. 
Each anther has a spur upon its back, and the tips 
press against each other, thus forming a hollow cone 
in which is the style. The anthers mature before the 
stigma, but the pollen is not all ripened at once, so 
that a succession of bees may be loaded with pollen 
before the stigma is ready. Owing to the space 
between the filaments and the corolla-tube being 
stopped by the scales, the insect must get its tongue 
between two stamens, which being moved out of 
their place, let a little shower of pollen fall upon him. 
When all the pollen has been thus used up, the style 
