372 FOUNDATIONS OF BOTANY 
440. Protection of Pollen.from Rain. — Pollen is very © 
generally protected from being soaked and spoiled by rain 
or dew either by the natural position of the flower prevent- 
ing rain from entering, as in the case with most gamo- 
petalous, nodding flowers, or by changes in the position 
of the flower, and by its opening in sunny weather and 
closing at night or during rain. Sometimes the flower 
both changes its position and closes, as is the case with 
the herb Robert and the sweet scabious (Fig. 262). The 
adaptations of flowers to protect their pollen from becom- 
ing wet can best be understood by actually examining the 
same flower in sunshine and during rain. 
