156 THE HUMAN SIDE OF PLANTS 



keep canary birds! Or perhaps he is the green- 

 uniformed guard who defends the marigold's pollen 

 stores from creeping insects! Certainly the plant 

 does her duty as hostess in providing him with a 

 dainty chamber and a choice supply of food in the 

 form of tiny gnats and other insects which she 

 lures to her yellow palace. 



This is one of the most unique of the many in- 

 stances in which plants act as hostesses. One can 

 understand, and commend, the wisdom of those 

 plants which entertain for purposes of material 

 gain, or for services rendered; but some plants are 

 seemingly extravagant enough to give of their 

 hospitality purely for the entertainment which the 

 guest affords his hostess! 



