WASP-FLOWERS 



51 



though these insects seek its easily reached 

 nectar upon occasion, and no doubt are 

 valuable agents in carrying the pollen 

 which the laurel conceals in a curious 

 and very ingenious manner until the time 

 of its ripening. The stamens are bent 

 over like springs, the anthers being caught 

 in little pockets or depressions in the 

 corolla. 



When the wasp seeks nectar its restless 

 legs loosen the stamen springs, and up fly 

 the anthers, throwing pollen as out of a 

 sling, often quite over the bush, 

 to a neighbouring plant, and 

 often against the body of the 

 wasp, that, after being pelted 

 with pollen, is in a condition 

 to cross-fertilise the next laurel 

 flower it visits. 



The Alleghany Menzesia is 

 a plant the wasps delight in. 

 It belongs to the Heath Family, 

 and has a bush like an azalea. 



