340 Field, Forest, and Wayside Flowers 



standing straight up while all the rest are folded 



back against the stalk. 

 Those which bend down- 

 ward are fertilized florets 

 enfolding the ripening 

 seed, or unfertilized florets 

 which have begun to 

 wither. The one erect 

 flower is a solitary 

 watcher, still in alert ex- 

 pectation of the hoped- 

 for bee. 



The swamp-thistle, with 

 flower-tubes longer than 

 those of its Canadian 

 cousin, has a smaller cir- 

 cle of insect friends, and 

 the common thistle, with 

 still deeper florets, is more 

 exclusive still. But all 

 varieties are forced to 

 receive unbidden guests, 

 for ants dearly love nec- 

 tar, and they are enter- 

 FIG. 95. Gathered in latter 



summer. prising, persevering, and 



chronically hungry. If they can get into the pur- 



