Z21 
A more beautiful flower than the col- 
umbine it would be difficult to find (Fig. 
223). Its graceful hanging head and 
brilliant coloring make it a delight to the 
passer-by. 
It has not the fragrance of some other 
Hewers, “but=for this there 1s “a. good 
reason. 
The columbine is so brightly colored that the nectar- 
hunting bee can see it from a great distance. 
It is only when a blossom is so small and faintly 
colored as to be unlikely to attract the eye, that it 
needs to make its presence known in some other way 
than by wearing gay clothes. By giving out fragrance 
it notifies the bee that material for honey making is on 
hand. 
So you see that a pale little flower with a strong 
fragrance is just as able to attract the bee’s attention 
as is a big flower with its bright flower handkerchiefs. 
A big flower with bright flower handkerchiefs does not 
need to attract the bee by its perfume. 
Perhaps you will be somewhat surprised to learn that 
this columbine uses the old plan, calyx, corolla, stamens, 
pistil. 
In the columbine the calyx as well as the corolla is 
brightly and beautifully colored, and only the botanist 
can tell which is which. In this way many flowers con- 
fuse one who is only beginning their study. So you 
must try to be patient when you come across a flower 
whose coloring and shape make it impossible for you 
to say what is calyx and what is corolla. You should 
