PERFECT FLOWERS 59 



of a pair of very fine tweezers, then rub its pollen 

 against the pistil in question, and note whether it 

 adheres or no. Frequently, the ripening of the 

 pistil is announced, as in the ripening of fruit, by a 

 change in color from green to some other tint more 

 conspicuous; for in the Plant-world green counts 

 as no colour. 



We must always be on the lookout for this 

 "dichogamy" in flowers, and, as an important part 

 of our studies, determine whether the anthers or 

 the stigmas be the first to mature. 



STIGMAS DEVELOPING BEFORE STAMENS 

 (Called "Proterogynous dichogamy") 



ENGLISH PLANTAIN; RIPPLE GRASS; RIB GRASS Plantago 

 lanceolata (June-Sept.) 



This in America is an immigrant from Europe, 

 a naturalised citizen to be found everywhere from 

 June to September. From a group of lance- 

 shaped and strongly ribbed leaves rises a tall stem, 

 surmounted by a pointed cone of greenish buds and 

 brownish flowers, so minute as to be almost indis- 

 tinguishable. Around the flower-cone seems to 

 float a hazy ring of pollen-laden anthers, as the 

 rings of Saturn float round that planet. 



If we watch a plant from day to day, we will no- 

 tice that the brown flowers and the pollen ring seem 



