154 THE FERTILISATION OF FLOWERS. [PART IIT, 
less, since even with abundant insect-visits the possibility of self- 
fertilisation remains throughout. 
Visitors : A. Diptera—(a) Syrphide: (1) Ascia podagrica, F., s., very ab. ; 
(2) Rhingia rostrata, L., s. ; (3) Helophilus pendulus, L. Bee ; (4) Syritéa 
pipiens, bi s.; (bd) Mastiches (5) Scatophaga “ierdaniie F., 88: Hymen- 
optera—A pide : (6) Halictus sp., s. ; (7) Andrena Gwynana, K. 2, s.; (8) 
Apis mellifica, L. § (I saw the hive-bee once (June 10, 1871), in a spot 
where G. molle and G. pusillum were growing together, dip its tongue into 
some flowers of G. molle, but abandon it immediately for Gleehates Pee 
mention this’ apparently trivial circumstance because it shows (1) that 
G. molle with its larger and darker flowers is preferred by an insect which has 
to choose between it and G. pusillum, and (2) that even G. molle has not 
sufficient attractions to win the services of the hive-bees, See also No, 590, 11. 
81. GERANIUM PUSILLUM, L.—Although on superficial exa- 
mination very easily confused with G. molle, G. pusillum differs 
considerably from that species in the structure of its flower. _ 
Only the five stamens which alternate with the petals bear 
anthers, and these stamens are provided at their base with honey 
Fic. 48,—Geranium pusillum, L. 
Essential organs of a flower whichis just opening, seen from above. st, stigma; a, anther. 
glands, When the flower opens, the stamens are all erect and 
closely applied to the pistil. The five divisions of the stigma are 
spread out for half their length, their papillar surfaces are turned 
upwards, and the anthers, which are still closed, lie a little below — 
the stigmas in the angles between them. The flower therefore is — 
as yet female only, and can only be fertilised through insect-ageney 
by pollen from older flowers. 
Soon after this, the anthers dehisce, covering themselves on 
both sides with viscid pollen-grains, and the stigmas spread still 
further apart, so that the anthers come to lie in the angles between 
them and dust the papille on their edges with pollen. The flower 
is now as much male as female. It can be fertilised more easily 
with other pollen than with its own in case of insect-visits, but it 
has already begun to fertilise itself. 
At length the divisions of the stigma are fully outspread ; 
while the ends of the filaments bend towards the middle of the 
aor 
— 
ae Ae | ie 
