BUTLER THE ARBUTUS 



28] 



flower is constructed on the nimierical plan of five. The tubular 

 corrolla varies ia color from a pale white to a deeply tinted rose 

 and the five parted pale green cal}^ is set around with five bracts. 

 A cluster of these blossoms exhales a sweet and spicy fragrance. 

 The structure of the flower is of decided interest. An ex- 

 amination of various flowers reveals a great variation in the 

 relative conditions and positions of the stamens and pistils. In 

 some we find anthers which abort the pollen, in others only partially 

 so while in others the pollen is well developed. We can find some 

 flowers with stigmas, which are broad and with upper surfaces 

 at right angles to the style, while in others the stigmas are general- 

 ly to be found in flowers with abortive anthers and vice versa. 

 The plants are in a transformation stage and are in reality 

 dioecious. Many interesting variations are shown in this species. 

 Altho the plants are related by descent, the variations are in- 

 herited just as much as the likenesses. "Like produces like, but 

 not just like". 



Cross-pollination is being achieved by variations and repro- 

 duction is accomplished with fewer waste parts. This may be 

 accounted for in two ways. First; by the elimination of one sex 

 from each flower, and secondly; by becoming dimorphous by 

 developing perfect organs at different heights in the same flower. 

 That there is a tendency toward this condition is shown by varying 

 lengths of the styles and filaments. In some instances the plants 

 blossom profusely but may set no fruit, depending upon vegeta- 

 tive growth for reproduction. Whenever both sets of repro- 

 ductive organs are found perfect it may be considered as a re- 

 version to an early type of platit. 



Insects and winds are the agencies by which pollen is carried 

 from anther to stigma. The flower blooms early in the spring 

 when there is little insect life afield, but the nectar of the fragrant 

 blossoms attracts the few there are at the time. The beautiful 

 orange banded bumble bee is the most frequent visitor, since the 

 fertile females live over winter in some sheltered nook, they do not 

 perish like the other occupants of the bee nest, so arc on hajid to 

 seek the Httle flowers in early spring. Instead of flitting from 

 flower to flower the bee crawls. Honey-flies, with k)ng tongues, 

 visit the flowers as likewise do little vScsia moths. These moths 

 mimic the bumblebee as do others a humming bird. I'nhke 

 most m.oths this one flies during the warmest parts of sunny days 

 to visit the arbutus. 



