THE STUDY OF FLOWERS. 



227 



importance, since they constitute the chief attractions of 

 the flower to insects (Fig. 94). 



It should not be difficult to get from pupils the seed 

 producing as the primary function of the flower, to which 

 the functions of colour, scent, and nectar producing are 

 subsidiary. It might be well also to emphasise this in 

 another way, viz. by representing the parts of the flower in 

 two divisions 



Stamens and Carpels principal parts. 

 Sepals and Petals subordinate parts 



LONG STAMEN STIGMA 



SHORT STAMEN 



NECTARY ^J 



Fig. 94. Vertical section of Wallflower, showing the parts and their relations. 



A survey of the fact that very large numbers of plants 

 have flowers which may be regarded as designed to attract 

 insects (other animals also, e.g. birds and bats in tropical 

 lands) will serve to emphasise the fact .that cross pollina- 

 tion conveys an advantage to the plant, e.g. more vigor- 

 ous seed. It also probably tends to produce variations. 

 It would be well here to appeal for examples, e.g. of 

 large brightly coloured flowers (Poppy) ; medium sized 

 flowers, sweetly scented (Wallflower) ; small flowers but 



