:r6rin9ina 3Fortb ^ruit 185 



markable arrangement of stamens and pistils ; the 

 pistil has a fringed stigma, and is fully inclosed 

 b}'' the stamens, as if they would force their pollen 

 upon it. AVe find, however, that the sensitive or 

 sticky surfaces of the stigma are pressed together so 

 that no pollen can reach them, while the anthers on 

 their part open only through a pore at the tips. 

 This pore does not open until jarred b}^ a visiting 

 bee, when a sudden snap casts the pollen over his 

 coat ; the anthers being thus relieved of their burden 

 lift themselves and the pistil seizes the opportunity to 

 pass beyond them and be on the lookout for the 

 next honey- seeker who comes along bearing pollen 

 on his raiment. 



The fourth member of our lobelia family does not 

 linger to greet the fruit-scented October air — the 

 inflated or puffed lobelia dropped its small purple 

 flowers long ago. The Indians used its coarse leaves 

 for tobacco. The great blue lobelia has a sister- 

 plant, exactly like itself, but with blossoms of pearly 

 white ; there are some other varieties which prefer 

 moist woods or brooksides. 



One of our most magnificent, composite flowers 

 flourishes in October — the "blazing star." This 

 flower clings to the low hills near the coast; its 

 stems are tall, furrowed, narrow-leaved, and set for 

 the upper half of their length with large, red-purple 



