124 



ments, not only detach the anther cap, but frequently manage to bring 

 themselves to the ground imprisoned in a withering corolla. Other 

 smaller bees, in search of honey, enter the spur without touching the 

 anthers. 



Claijtonia yirgivica L. The movements of the stamens and stigmas of 

 this plant are curious and somewhat puzzling. When the petals first open 

 the pistil is longer than the proterandrous stamens, but of the same 

 length- after the branches of the stigma are recurved. In some flowers the 

 stamens remain clustered around the style and closed stigma for a time 

 after the petals have opened, and while in this position, the under part 

 of an insect-visitor readily becomes dusted with pollen. Later the sta- 

 mens are lient backward until the anthers rest on the face of the hori- 

 zontal pistils. When this outward movement of the stamens takes place 

 the lobes of the stigma are also bent outward and in position for cross- 

 fertilization, (^uite often it happens that it can scarcely be said that the 

 stamens are proterandrous, all the movements before described occurring 

 at the time the anthers liecome dehiscent. When this takes place the 

 insect-visitor has little chance of collecting pollen, l)ut it leaves the stigma 

 in an ideal position for cross-fertilization. Flowers can be found in all 

 -of thes-e sta.^es at the same time: and the honey-bee in making its rounds 

 soon becomes dusted Avith pollen, Avithout having to depend on the re- 

 curAcd stamens for a supply. 



I'nlike many iloAA-ers tnat are in part or Avholly dependent on insects 

 for feitilizatioii, tlie spring beaiity lasts but one day. It comes into bloom 

 early in the season and its day is past before insects become numerous, 

 hence, as miglif lie expected, there is a provision Avhich assures self- 

 pollenation. The jierals that open in the morning begin to close in the 

 afterno nn. and by vAiihi are gatliered into an imbricated roll. If the day 

 has been cnkl and tlie lobes of the stigma have not become fully recurved, 

 so as to l)riiig their pa;)ilhie on a IcA'el with the anthers, the process of 

 recurA-atiou is completed before they are caught by the closing petals. 

 Examination shoAvs that after closing the anthers Avith pollen still adher- 

 ing are in close contact Avith the stigma. Pollen was found at night on 

 the papilla? of the old floAvers that was not there Itefore insects ceased to 

 tiy that afternoon. No insect other than tlie honey-bee Avas seen about 

 them, and, as its visits Avere rather rare, the numerous and well filled 

 capsules must have Ik en the result of self-iioUenation. 



