30 EYE SPY 
these insects are not so particular as to the quali- 
ty of their tipple as bees are apt to be. But the 
figwort has found out gradually through the ages 
that wasps are more serviceable in the cross-fer- 
tilization of its flowers than other insects, and it 
has thus gradually modified its shape, odor, and 
nectar especially to these insects. 
Let us then take a careful look at these queer 
little homely flowers, and for the time being con- 
sider them as mere devices first, to insure the 
visit of an insect, and, second, to make that in- 
sect the bearer of the pollen from one blossom to 
the stigma of another. Here we see a flower 
with three distinct welcomes on three successive 
days. 
The flower-bud usually opens in the morning, 
and shows a face as at A, which must be fully 
understood by looking at the side section shown 
at A 1 . 
The anthers and pollen are not yet ripe, but 
the stigma is ready, and now guards the doorway. 
To-morrow morning we shall see a new condition 
of things at that doorway, as seen at B and B 1 . 
The stigma has now bent down out of the way, 
while two anthers have unfolded on their stalks 
and now shed their pollen at the threshold. The 
third morning, or perhaps even sooner, the other 
pair come forward, and we see the opening of the 
blossom as at C. Blossoms in all these three 
