THE WELCOMES OF THE FLOWERS 1 29 



second presents a sectional view of these stamens, 

 showing their peculiar S -shaped filaments and 

 ring of anthers one of the latter being shown 

 separate at the right, with its two pores and ex- 

 posed pollen. The freshly opened blossom dis- 

 closes the entire ring of anthers in perfect equilib- 

 rium, each with its two orifices closed by close 

 contact with the style, thus retaining the pollen. 

 It will readily be seen that an insect's tongue, as 

 indicated by the needle, in probing between them 

 in search for nectar, must needs dislocate one or 

 more of the anthers, and thus release their dusty 

 contents, while the position of the stigma below is 

 such as to escape all contact. 



In most flowers, with the exception of the or- 

 chids, the stamens and pollen are plainly visible ; 

 but who ever sees the anthers of the blue-flag? 

 Surely none but the analytical botanist and the 

 companion insect to whom it is so artfully ad- 

 justed and so demonstrative. This insect is like- 

 ly to be either a bumblebee or a species of large 

 fly. In apt illustration of Sprengel's theory of 

 the " path-finder " or honey-guide, the insect does 

 not alight at the centre of the flower, but upon 

 one of the three large drooping sepals, whose 

 veins, converging to the narrow trough above, in- 

 dicate the path to the nectar. Closely overarch- 



