124 THE BEAUTIES OF NATURE CHAP. 



flower (Fig. 6) consists of a narrow tube, some- 

 what expanded at the upper end (Fig. 7), 

 where the lower lobe forms a platform, on 



each side of which is a 

 small projecting tooth 

 (Fig. 8, m). The upper 

 portion of the corolla 

 is an arched hood (co), 

 under which lie four 

 anthers (a a), in pairs, 

 while between them, 

 and projecting some- 

 what downwards, is 

 the pointed pistil (st) ; 

 the tube at the lower 

 part contains honey, 



Fig. 6. White Dead-nettle. 



and above the honey 

 is a row of hairs running round the tube. 



Now, why has the flower this peculiar 

 form ? What regulates the length of 

 the tube ? What is the use of the arch ? 

 What lesson do the little teeth teach 

 us ? What advantage is the honey to the 

 flower ? Of what use is the fringe of hairs ? 

 Why does the stigma project beyond the 



