VEGETABLE VAGARIES. 



285 



appears to be a sad, almost sin- 

 ful, waste of one of Flora's most 

 marvellous creations. Doubtless, 

 however, it is the moths only 

 that are required in this instance 

 to assist Dame Nature in the ac- 

 complishment of the essential pur- 

 pose of all floral structures. To 

 these insects the glistening sheen 

 of the white cactus lamps in the 

 pale moonlight must prove an 

 unerring beacon to the honied 

 banquet that awaits them. As 

 they flit from cup to cup the 

 large protruding pistil and stellate 

 stigma, distinctly shown in the 

 lower of the two figures, forms 

 a sort of landing stage or front 

 door-mat upon which the moths 

 must first alight. " Please wipe 

 your shoes before entering" is the 

 mot d'ordre, unwritten but obey- 

 ed, at every golden portal. Con- 



CEKEl'S CHALYHAXS. 



IT. Sacillf-Kftit, Photo. 



CKREUS NITF.NS. 



