254 



THE HONEY-BEE. 



blossom. When fertilisation by pollen from another 

 flower has taken place, the pistil droops and withers ; 

 while the anthers grow upwards to the mouth of the 

 corolla, and present their nectar to the honey-seekers, 

 for conveyance to other flowers of the species. 



FIG. 75. SECTION OF SCROPHULARIA NODOSA. 



FIG. 76. SCROPHULARIA NODOSA. 

 (Young bloom.) 



FIG. 77. SCROPHULARIA NODOSA. 

 (Old bloom.) 



In the common sage (Salvia officinalis) we find a 

 very remarkble contrivance, by means of which the 

 anthers, through a sort of hinge-like connective, are 

 brought down on the back of a bee entering the 

 flower. The pollen thus discharged is carried by the 

 insect to other blossoms, in which the place of the 

 withered stamens has been occupied by the stigma 



