SELF-FERTILISED FLOWERS 183 



strangely enough, it has also been ascertained that 

 the pollenation of the flower is not the result of 

 accidental attrition of the wings and other organs 

 of the insect, when engaged in seeking nectar in 

 the flower, and when engaged in laying her eggs, 

 but that she deliberately collects the pollen with 

 her mouth, which is peculiarly modified to enable 

 her to do this, and then ap- 

 plies the pollen to the stigma 

 with infinitely better care than 

 it could be done by the most 

 skilful horticulturist, using the 

 most delicate human appli- 

 ances." 



The moth is shown in our 

 sketch at work upon the sta- 

 mens and the pistil. Now, 

 why should the Pronuba ex- 

 ert herself thus, to do a good 

 turn for the Yucca? Where 

 is the reciprocity in the trans- YUCCA AND MOTH 



action? When we are able to watch the whole 

 transaction we will see that the moth not only 

 pushes pollen into the upper part of the pistil, but 

 proceeds to bore a hole into the lower part and 

 lay her eggs there. In due time seeds will form 

 and eggs will hatch, and the little larvae find food 



