METHODS OF POLLINATION 



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near the base of the petals. When the insect is crawling over the 

 flower and touches the stamens, the anthers are released suddenly, 

 fly up and throw the pollen on the body of the insect. The action 



Fig. 135. 



Kalmia latifolia, showing position of anthers before insect visits, and at the right the 

 scattering of the pollen when disturbed by insects. Middle figure section of flower. 



of the stamens can be seen by touching the filaments with a pencil 

 or other object. The common garden sage (Salvia) presents a very 

 peculiar structure and move- 

 ment of the stamens (fig. 136). 

 As the insect enters the flower 

 it pushes against the lower 

 sterile anther lobe, which 

 causes the connective to swing 



st 



n 



Fig. 136. 



on its hinge in such a way 



as to bring the Upper lobes Two flowers of common sage, one of them 

 . ... .. visited by a bee. After Lubbock. 



ready to discharge the pollen 



down on the back of the insect. On visiting another flower 



where the pistil is older the in- 

 sect on entering brushes some 

 of the pollen off on to the 

 stigma. The orchids show some 

 of the most remarkable move- 

 ments of any flowers during 

 cross-pollination. In some the 



pollen mass (pollinium) is attached to a slender curved stalk which 



is held in tension like a spring, and on the other end is a viscid 



Fig. 137- 

 Flower and stamens of common sage. 



