76 FLOWERS OF THE FIELDS AND MEADOWS 



stamens divide into two spreading branches at the tip, the branches 

 being unequal, and the shorter one with the anther lobes faces the 

 centre, the other longer one outwards, its pointed ends resting on the 

 concave surface of the upper lip, and this causes them to lie in such a 

 position that the insect touches them on either side of the head. They 

 open downwards and lie on each side of the stigma. The shorter 

 stamens are similar in structure. The bee touches the lower stigma 

 first with its back, and afterward is covered with fresh pollen. So that 



SELF-HEAL (Prunella vulgaris, L.) 



when insects visit the flower it is cross-pollinated, whilst in their 

 absence self-pollination occurs and seed is set. 



Self-heal is visited by the Honey Bee, Bombus, Megachile, Antho- 

 pkora, Cilissa, Lyccena, Hesperia, Melitcea. 



The smooth elongated nutlets when ripe drop out around the plant, 

 assisted by the wind. 



Growing on clay soil in a variety of situations it is a clay plant. 



The fungus ^Ecidium prunelke attacks the leaves. 



Prunella or Brnnella, Brunfels, is from the German Braune^ a 

 kind of quinsy which the plant was supposed to cure, and the second 

 Latin name refers to its widespread occurrence. 



