THE PLANT AND ITS HELPERS 77 



flower. Here, again, we find a convenient little 

 platform on which the insect may alight. As is 

 the case in so many flowers, the anthers and the 

 stigma mature at different times. The stamens 

 of the Salvia are arranged in the form of a very 

 curious contrivance. The anthers, instead of 

 being affixed to the filament of the stamens in 

 the ordinary way, are arranged on a connective 

 in the form of a swinging rod. When the 

 flower is ready for the reception of the insect 

 the movable rod is in an upright position. Now 

 the nectaries are situated deep down in the 

 flower, and the bee in her search for the sweet 

 stuff must needs come in contact with the terminal 

 knobs of the connective. Thus the rod is forced 

 round, and the anther lobes at the other extremity 

 deposit their pollen upon the back of the insect. 

 The style of the Salvia is in the hood-like portion 

 of the flower, and until its time for maturing arrives 

 it is comparatively short ; as its development 

 proceeds, however, the organ extends downwards. 

 If the next Salvia blossom visited by the bee 

 should be in the female state, the stigma will be 

 in just the position to meet the back of the insect 

 which has previously been dusted with pollen. 

 In this way the cross-fertilisation of the flower is 

 secured. 



