THE CUCKOO-PINT. 1 6 



unrolls and then resembles a monk's-cowl, and also discloses a 

 purplish cylindric column. The green envelope is called a 

 spathe, and must not be taken for a flower. The flowers are 

 there in great number, but they are small and arranged round 

 the lower part of the central column (spadix). The lower third 

 of the spathe is marked off from the rest by a slight con- 

 striction, and if with a sharp knife we slice off the front portion 

 of this part we shall there find the flowers in four series. 



Proceeding downwards we first find a ring of abortive 

 stamens, each ending in a long, deflexed hair. A little lower is 

 a series of perfect anthers, and below these a similar group of 

 pistils, the topmost row of which consists of abortive organs 

 with hair-like processes. Small flies are attracted to the spathe 

 by the carrion-like colour and odour of the spadix, and explore 

 the lower premises. The hairs allow easy descent, but prevent 

 return. If the flies have already been in an Arum flower they 

 bring with them pollen on wings and feet, and find the stigmas 

 ripe to receive it. When these are no longer fit for fertilization 

 the anthers open and discharge their pollen in a shower on 

 the insects ; the stigmas secrete honey as a reward to the 

 imprisoned flies, and the upper series of hairs shrivel up 

 and set the insects free to carry their pollen to another Arum. 



The spathe and spadix wither, but the ovaries develop into 

 codlin-shaped pale scarlet berries. This species is plentiful 

 throughout the country. There is one other species, Armn 

 italicum^ found locally from Cornwall to Sussex. It is larger 

 and stouter in all respects ; the upper part of the spathe bend- 

 ing over, and the spadix yellow. Flowers in June. 



Lily of the Yalley (Convattaria majalis). 

 Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum multifloruui). 



These plants are very familiar as garden flowers ; they are 

 nevertheless natives, though by no means common in the wild 



