86 MINUTE MARVELS OF NATURE 



heads, which the botanist terms "stamens." 

 These swollen heads or, to be exact, "anthers," 

 play a very important part in the flower's history ; 

 for it is in them that the fructifying pollen -grains 



r 



Fig. 54. The central portion of a femnle begonia flower 

 (slightly magnified) 



are developed and ripened, after which the anthers 

 burst and shed their thousands of coloured 

 granules just at a time when the showy and 

 coloured parts of the flower, as well as the honey, 

 are at perfection. For the main function of the 

 coloured portions of the flower is only advertise- 

 ment to insects, of good honey or nectar within. 

 The plant has no interest in providing honey for 



