/'()/././.V.I//().V 



191 





In this Hcjucr there arc three stales which stancl 

 well above the stamens ; the j)()iiits of the stj'lcs 

 are bent over as in the plate, and the stii,nnatic sur- 

 face L^rows mature before the anthers shed their 

 pollen ; if, however, no insect \isits the flowers, pol- 

 lination is effected in the following;- wa\'. The 

 st)'les bend down and place their forked points in 

 cUrect contact with the open anther-lobes (as shown 

 in drawini;), the st\le assumini;' 

 •dniost tlic form (jf a semi- 

 circle. This is d(;ne very de- 

 liberately, for it is often full}- 

 a week before the act is com- 

 plete. 



I\)lhnation is effected in tropical countries not 

 on!)' by insects of man}- kinds, but b\' the loxel}- 

 tribes of humming-birds which abound in those 

 reL,nons. Their slender, cur\ed beaks are specialK- 

 adapted U) penetrate the honex'-laden fl(jwers w ilh 

 lon^-tubed blossoms, which could onl)- be pol- 

 linated by some such ay;enc)-. 



Those who are within reach of the Natural His- 

 lor}- Museum at South KensinL;ton ma\- there see a 

 gallery filled with exquisite specimens of humming- 



T(.)AU-LILV. 

 Sti;^tii<i iiilil Slitincti. 



