152 THE GARDEN OF EARTH 



themselves, and so to keep their precious pollen dry for 

 use. 



For use — but not for the use of those pistil-flowers 

 which were grown on the same plant with themselves. 

 In time these triple-boats, only two of the three having 

 out-standing ripened anthers, as they are wafted about 

 or even if no breeze stirs, are sure to gather round some 

 of the pistil-flowers standing out of the water. Floating 

 objects always do tend thus to draw together, through 

 mutual attraction. 



Some of the pollen-grains on board a tiny boat will 

 then come into touch with one of the long drooping 

 pistils, and will reach a waiting stigma; and, being 

 sticky, will remain on it. Thus the needed work is 

 done — so gracefully done too ! — and Fertilisation is 

 secured. 



Nor is this all. We have seen how the pistil-flower 

 grows upward from the bottom to the surface of the 

 w^ater, that its needs may be met. That being accom- 

 plished, its presence above is no longer called for. So 

 the long stalk acts in an extraordinary manner. It 

 shortens, coiling in a spiral, till the flower is again close 

 to the bottom; there to ripen its seeds at leisure for 

 the next year. 



Did you ever watch a humble-bee trying to make her 

 way into a Calceolaria flower? The entrance is rather 

 complicated; but the bee, quite naturally, sits on the 

 lower lip, and opens a door to herself by light pressure 

 against the upper lip. A hidden " nectary," with plenty 

 of sweet juice, then springs to view, " presented to the 

 humble-bee, just like a spoon." When she has had 



