THE FLOWER AND THE BEE 



same family as the apple, pear, plum, cherry, and raspberry. 

 If one species in a family yields nectar we may expect that they 

 will all do so." This may seem probable, but it is not the fact. 

 In the buttercup family the buttercups, columbines, and lark- 

 spurs all secrete nectar, but the anemone and hepatica do not. 

 Most species in the figwort family {ScrophulariacecE) yield nec- 

 tar, but some mulleins do not. In the honeysuckle family 

 (Caprifoliaceoe) the honeysuckles and viburnum are nectarif- 

 erous, but the elderberries are pollen-flowers. Some orchids 

 secrete nectar, others do not. In the nightshade family 

 (Solanaceoe) the nightshade is nectarless, but the ground- 

 cherry {Physalis) yields nectar. 



Although the handsome flowers of the rose are devoid of 

 nectar, they contain such an abundance of pollen that they still 

 attract a great many visitors, as honey-bees, bumblebees, leaf- 

 cutting bees, mason-bees, ground-bees, as well as flies and 

 beetles. Three or four little coal-black bees of the genus 

 Prosopis, which look like ants, may be seen on a single rose 

 eating pollen; but they are so small that they are of Httle use 

 in poUination. But large bees, like the bumblebees, can hardly 

 fail to come in contact with the stigmas, and thus are the most 

 efficient pollinators, (Fig. 93.) 



Conspicuous flowers pollinated by insects, which do not se- 

 crete nectar, are called pollen-flowers. Common pollen- 

 flowers are the Hepatica, many species of Clematis and Anemone, 

 the bloodroot, California poppy, the elders, rock-roses, loose- 

 strifes, St.-John's-worts, poppies, nightshades, and species of 

 mullein, Spircea and Thalictrum. 



While a part of the species of mullein (Verbascum) secrete 

 a little nectar, others are nearly or wholly nectarless. The 

 stamens are clothed with violet-colored hairs, which afford a 

 good foothold to small bees and hover-flies while they are 



194 



