100 NECTARY. 



Fig. 59. 



The crown imperial (Fritittaria Impe- 

 rialis), exhibits in the claw of each of its 

 petals, a nectary of this kind ; each one 

 being filled with a- sweet liquid, the secre- 

 tion of the flower. If these drops are re- 

 moved, others immediately take their 

 place. You have here a representation 

 (Fig. 59) of the crown imperial ; its pe- 

 tals appear cut off near the base, in order 

 to show the six nectariferous glands at tho 

 base of each. 



In the ranunculus, the nectary is a production of the corolla 

 in the form of a scale; in the violet a process of the same, in 

 the form of a horn or spur. In the columbine, the nectary is 

 a separate organ from the petals in the form of a horn. In the 

 monks-hood, one of the petals being concave, conceals the 

 nectaries ; they are therefore said to be hooded. 



In monopetalous corollas, the tube is supposed to answer the 

 purpose of a nectary in secreting the honey. In the honey- 

 suckle we find at the bottom of the tube, a quantity of nectari- 

 ferous liquid, yet there is no appearance of any gland or organ, 

 by which it could have been secreted, unless we suppose the 

 tube to have performed this office. 



With respect to the purpose for which honey is secreted by 

 the nectary and other parts of the flower, there seems, among 

 authors, to be some difference of opinion. Darwin supposes 

 this to be the food with which the stamens and pistils are nour- 

 ished, or the unripe seeds perfected. Smith asserts, that tho 

 only use of honey with respect to the plant, is to tempt insects, 

 which in procuring it, scatter the dust of the anthers, and fertil- 

 ize the flower, and even carry the pollen from the barren to the 

 fertile blossoms ; this is particularly the case in the fig-tree. 

 Although in the case of. plants whose stamens and pistils are 

 on separate flowers, we see this advantage arising from the 

 fact of insects being attracted by the honey, yet since the great- 

 er number of plants do not need this assistance in carry in< 

 their pollen to the stigmas, we cannot agree with Smith that the 

 only use of honey is to tempt insects. 



With respect to the use of honey in the vegetable system, it 

 seems difficult to determine ; some imagine that it especially 

 contributes to the perfection of the stamens; but plants without 

 appearing to secrete honey, have perfect stamens. One thing 



Nectary of the crown imperial Different forms of nectaries Opinions (jf 

 different writers respecting their use Honey. 



