148 



BEG/NiVF.RS' BOTANY 



Fig. 200. 



Larkspur 



irregular and provided ivith nectar and strong perfume arc 

 unially pollinated hij insects. Gaudy colours probably at- 

 tract insects in many cases, l)ut perfume appears to be a 



greater attraction. 



The insect visits tJtc flower for the 

 nectar (for the making of honey) and 

 may unknowingly carry the pollen. 

 Spurs and sacs in the flower are necta- 

 ries (Fig. 200), but in spurless flowers 

 the nectar is usually secreted iji the 

 bottom of the flower cnp. This compels 

 the insect to pass by the anther and 

 Flower of rub against the pollen before it reaches 

 the nectar. Sometimes the anther is a 

 long lever poised on the middle point and the insect 

 bumps against one end and lifts 

 it, thus bringing the other end 

 of the lever with the pollen sacs 

 down on its back. Flowers that 

 are pollinated by insects are said 

 to be entomophilous (" insect lov- 

 ing"). Fig. 200 shows a larkspur. 

 The envelopes are separated in 

 Fig. 201. The long spur at once 

 suggests insect pollination. The 

 spur is a sepal. Two hollow 

 petals project into this spur, ap- 

 parently serving to guide the 

 bee's tongue. The two smaller 

 petals, in front, are peculiarly 

 coloured and perhaps serve the bee in locating the nectary. 

 The stamens ensheatli the pistils (Fig. 202). As the insect 

 stands on the flower and thrusts its head into the centre, 



Fig. 201. — Envelopes of a 

 Larkspur. There are five 

 wide sepals, the upper one be- 

 ing spurred. There are four 

 small petals. 



