FLOWERS 53 



of the slowly running motion camera, does not 

 change their habits, but it does register in pictures 

 more accurately than the eye can show, just what is 

 taking place, even the smaller movements that the 

 eye cannot detect. 



The all-seeing eye of the camera sees that the bud 

 begins to raise to its open blossom position. The 

 stem is growing faster on one side than the other. 

 Often the entire stem elongates just before opening. 

 Then rather suddenly the calyx splits with a little 

 snapping noise as in another. (The Evening Prim- 

 rose.) You can hear it if you listen carefully. Next 

 another crack shows in the calyx, then a short rest- 

 ing period during which it gathers strength for an- 

 other movement. Growth seems to be in stages of 

 rest and action. Next the camera's eye registers an 

 enlargement of the bud as the yellow petals appear 

 and the four-pronged pistil reaches out ahead of 

 them. These changes are not gradual, but convulsive 

 movements at intervals. Suddenly, after quite a 

 period of apparent rest, the petals fly apart and al- 

 most fully open in but a few seconds. 



This large yellow blossom of the Evening Prim- 

 rose opens just before dusk and you can, given the 

 good fortune to find yourself comfortably seated in 

 some lush meadow among them, "Stop, Look and 

 Listen," see, and faintly hear them open! Only about 



