224 Introduction to Botany. 



remains open and what sorts of insects visit it. What part 

 of this plant do you find to be perennial? Note the origin 

 and arrangement of the leaves. 



Compare this plant with Erythronium, noting in what 

 respects the flowers differ so that they are not classed in 

 the same family, and in what respects they seem to be 

 related. Which flower would you say is probably the more 

 primitive ? In what ways is this flower farther removed 

 than Hypoxis from the lilies ? Make on one page longi- 

 tudinal diagrams of the flowers of Erythronium, Hypoxis, 

 and Sisyrinchium, and refer to them in a brief discussion of 

 the essential characteristics of the families to which they 

 belong. 



Iris Germanica (or other species). 



Show with a simple outline drawing the habit of the 

 whole plant. What evidence do you find to indicate that 

 the thick underground part (rhizome) is a stem ? Does this 

 part increase in size from year to year ? What method of 

 growth has the above-ground leaf -bearing stem? (See 

 diagrams on page in.) The leaves are called equitant 

 (Latin equitans, riding), because the outer are astride the 

 inner. Can you see any advantage in this habit in respect 

 to protection or strength, or in any other way ? 



The flower is adapted in a unique way to secure cross 

 pollination by means of insects, particularly bees. The use 

 of the specific positions and forms of the parts will become 

 more apparent after the student has seen bees gathering 

 the nectar. By observation get information about the 

 following questions : Where does the bee alight on the 

 flower ? Where is the nectary ? What does the bee do to 

 get the nectar ? How long must be the tongue of the bee 

 to empty the nectary ? (See description of the mouth parts 



