FLOWERS OF HIGH ALTITUDES 91 



they approach the light. From behind them, see, a 

 filament rises straight up. That was originally the 

 fifth stamen, but see how much more showy is the 

 beard it now wears than are the anthers the other 

 stamens carry. It projects this beard just to attract 

 insects. When they arrive, down they go into the 

 funnel, stumbling against the stamens in such nar- 

 row quarters and receiving their meed of pollen. 



The Pentstemon here pictured is the Newberryi, 

 sometimes called the Pride of the Mountains. It is 

 a rugged perennial, growing low in height but 

 spreading its woody stems in every direction. It 

 does not seem to need good soil, for it creeps any- 

 where over the granite cliffs, sometimes on their tops, 

 sometimes filling side crevices which cannot possibly 

 contain much ground. It does not disdain the earth, 

 for it flourishes at the foot of cliffs where the pine 

 needles and the disintegrated granite, uniting for 

 ages, form a rich mold. Its blossoms are a rich 

 crimson; and, flung against the grey rocks, it makes 

 a striking color contrast that is appreciated not only 

 by man but by bird and bug. 



The anthers and the beard of the projecting fila- 

 ment of the fifth stamen are covered with a dense 

 wool which shows any hungry creature the path 

 to the dining hall. This wool grows cinerous, or 

 ash-colored, as the blossom ages. The leaves of this 

 Pentstemon are leathery, a dark green, with toothed 



