48 MYSTERIES OF THE FLOWERS 



HORSE-CHESTNUT Msculus hippocastanum 



The handsome spires of horse-chestnut bloom 

 are found to consist of orchid-like blossoms, fluted 

 and showily marked with colour, pink on some and 

 yellow on a neighbour, their stamens and pistils 

 curving forward and upward, with the latter well 

 in advance. But all are not perfect flowers : at least 

 two-thirds on each spire bear pollen yet have sterile 

 pistils. 



SHINLEAF Pyrola elliptica 

 July 



The shinleaf has similar habits, save that it turns 

 its face down toward the ground and, therefore, 

 protrudes its long, curving pistil for a landing- 

 stage. Here insects may alight and, first touching 

 the stigma, climb up into the corolla for nectar and 

 more pollen. Roofed by the 

 overhanging petals are ten pol- 

 len-bags, packed closely together 

 and ready, at a touch, to dis- 

 charge their contents upon the 

 visitor who ventures to climb up 

 into the flower. The great abun- 

 dance of these flowers and their 

 sweet fragrance attract success- 

 fully the bee-like flies (Syrplridce) 



