MARRIAGE CUSTOMS OF PLANTS 
Most insects act as if they were unaware of 
the important place they occupy in plant hy- 
meneals. So intent are they on their honey- 
gathering that they become covered from head 
to foot with pollen without appearing to notice 
it. Yet in a few instances, the Bees not only 
recognize that they have been pressed into the 
plant’s messenger service, but by underhand 
methods seek the rewards of labour without 
giving adequate return. They have learned 
how to cut a hole in the calyx tube of the Bean 
and the Scarlet Runner, and get at the precious 
honey by short cut. If all Bees and other 
fertilizing insects should master this trick, the 
flowers would have to wear defensive armour 
or perish. 
Pollen to be effective must remain dry. The 
plants have perfected many devices to shield 
it from moisture. Frequently, the flowers hang 
so that their petals act as tiny umbrellas for it. 
Others wear rainy day hoods, and practically 
all close when the night mists are abroad. 
The necessity for dry pollen obtains even 
among the water plants. If they are surface- 
floaters like the Pond Lily or the Victoria Regia, 
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