172 THE FERTILISATION OF FLOWERS. [PART IIT. 
91. ANTHYLLIS VULNERARIA, L.—Anthyllis vulneraria belongs 
to the group of papilionaceous flowers with piston-mechanism, but 
it differs so strikingly from Lotus in many points that it deserves a — 
special description. : | 
The very long claws of the petals are surrounded by a calyx, 
9 to 10 mm. long, somewhat swollen in the middle and covered 
with soft hairs (1 a, Fig. 54). From this the vexillum projects to a 
distance of 6 to 7 mm., inclined obliquely upwards ; a groove on the ~ 
lower part of its blade (7 0’) receives the alz, and two rounded lobes - 
at its base (7d, d) clasp round them inferiorly, so that the als are 
completely embraced by the vexillum. 
Fic. 54.—Anthyllis vulneraria, L. 
1.—Flower from below. 
2.—WDitto, from the side, after removal of the calyx. 
3.—Ditto, from above; the vexillum also has been removed. 
4.—Anterior half of the carina seen obliquely from the left side and above, 
5.—Anterior half of carina and the right ala. 
6.—Lower side of left ala: the claw is cut short. 
7.—Vexillum from below (1—7 x 34). 
8.—Apex of carina, after removal of its left half (x 7). 
a, calyx ; b, under side of vexillum ; b’, its groove ; ¢, upper (outer) surface of vexillum ; d, lobes 
of vexillum which grasp the ale and carina; e, inner, f, outer, sides of ala; g, deep narrow groove 
on the outside of the vexillum, visible inside as a sharp ridge, h; i, hollow in the 8 surface of 
the carina (k), into which the ridge h fits ; 1, sharp process or tooth of the carina, which fits into a 
hollow h’, behind the ridge h; m, carinal orifice, at which the pollen emerges ; m’, anterior infolding 
of the upper border of the ala; n, column; o, entrance to the honey; p, thickened ends of the 
filaments ; g, empty withered anthers; r, pollen; s, stigma; tt, claws of the ale. 
An insect which tries to reach the honey at the base of the 
flower must grasp the sides of the ale and thrust its proboscis (at 
least 9 to 10 mm. long) under the vexillum. 
The alw surround the carina, and are so connected with it that 
when the alee are depressed the carina is forced down with them, 
This connection is formed in three ways: (1), a deep narrow groove 
(3, g) exists at the base of each ala, appearing on the inner side as 
