168 
EYE SPY 
The endless shapes of flowers were shown by 
Darwin to have reference to certain insects upon 
whom the flower depended for the transfer of its 
pollen. What are we to infer from the shape of 
our evening primrose ? Its tube is long and slen- 
der, and the nectar is secreted at its farthest ex- 
tremity. Only a tongue an inch 
or so in length could reach it. 
What insects have tongues of 
this length? Moths and but- 
terflies. The primrose blooms 
at night, when butterflies are 
asleep, and is thus clearly 
adapted to moths. The flower 
opens; its stigma is closed; the 
projecting stamens scatter the 
loose pollen upon the moth as 
it sips close at the blossom's 
throat, and as it flies from flower 
to flower it conveys it to other 
blossoms whose stigmas are matured. The ex- 
pression of the normal bud is thus one of affinity 
and hope. 
Our friend just quoted mentions having seen 
" holes " on the other swollen buds, and there is 
certain to be a hole in every one of them at its 
maturity. But let us select one which is as yet 
entire. If with a sharp knife-point we cut gently 
through its walls, we disclose the curious secret 
