IV ON PLANT LIFE 138 
THE NOTTINGHAM CATCHFLY 
The Nottingham Catchfly (Silene nutans) 
is a very interesting case. The flower is 
adapted to be fertilised by Moths. Accord- 
ingly it opens towards evening, and as is 
generally the case with such flowers, is pale 
in colour, and sweet-scented. There are two 
sets of stamens, five in each set. ‘The first 
evening that the flower opens one set of sta- 
mens ripen and expose their pollen. ‘Towards 
morning these wither away, the flower shrivels 
up, ceases to emit scent, and looks as if it 
were faded. So it remains all next day. 
Towards evening it reopens, the second set of 
stamens have their turn, and the flower again 
becomes fragrant. By morning, however, the 
second set of stamens have shrivelled, and the 
flower is again asleep. Finally.on the third 
evening it re-opens for the last time, the long 
spiral stigmas expand, and can hardly fail to 
be fertilised with the pollen brought by Moths 
from other flowers. 
