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THE BBE-KEEPKR'S GUIDE*, 



heads, and when the plants are showy with bloom, like the 

 sunflowers, the brilliancy is due to the involucre, or bracts, 

 which serve as a frill to decorate the more modest flowers. 



The great willow-herb, or fireweed (Epilobium angusti- 

 folium), (Fig. 252), is often the source of immense honey-har- 

 vests. The downy seeds blow to great distances, and, finding 



Fig. 252. 



Great WHluio-IIerb, after Gray. 



A Flower with ripe stigma. 

 St Uuripe stamens. 

 r Petal. 

 T PoUen-tube. 



<S" Ripe slifrma. 

 li Flower wiili ripe pollen. 

 Pit Pollen-erain, 



a lodgment, their vitality makes them burst forth whenever 

 brush is burned or forest fires rage. Hence the name, fire- 

 weed. This handsome plant often covers acres of burnt lands 

 in northern Michigan with its beautiful pink bloom. Unlike 

 most nectar from late bloom, the honey from this flower is 



