84 WILD FLOWER FAMILIES 



which commonly bring about cross-pollination, 

 although strangely enough seedlings of the May- 

 flower are very rarely seen. The visits of ants 

 and other unbidden guests are prevented by the 

 hairs inside the corplla. 



It is a pity that so many people greedily or 

 thoughtlessly pull up these lovely blossoms by the 

 armful, and thus soon exterminate the plant in 

 regions where it should be abundant. 



Yet " God be praised ! " the Pilgrims said, 



Who saw the blossoms peer 

 Above the brown leaves dry and dead, 



" Behold our Mayflower here." 



John Greenleaf Whit tier. 



OBSERVATIONS FOR NOTEBOOK 



TRAILING ARBUTUS : 



(A) i. In what sorts of situations are the finest 

 Mayflowers found ? 



2. In what sorts of situations do the blossoms 



first appear? 



3. Have you ever seen bumble-bees visiting the 



flowers? 



4. Do all the flowers have well developed sta- 



mens? 



5. Do all the flowers have perfectly developed 



pistils? 



6. Can you find any flowers which contain both 



pistil and stamens perfectly developed? 



7. What is the significance .of the hairs found on 



the inside of the corolla? 



