8o WONDERS OF PLANT LIFE 



to which entrance is only possible through a 

 narrow tube. This passage-way is lined with stiff 

 bristles pointing downwards, through which the 

 incoming insects are easily able to force their way. 

 When the flies arrive the stigmas are in readi- 

 ness to receive the pollen which the visitors will 

 bring with them ; meanwhile the insects are 

 regaling themselves on the tissue which forms the 

 walls of the apartment in which they are really 

 prisoners. When they think they would like to 

 depart and make attempts to fly up the tube, it 

 becomes evident that no escape is possible through 

 the hairs, which completely bar the way. It is 

 not until the end of three days, when the anthers 

 have come to perfection, that the barrier dries up 

 and the captives are allowed to go on their way, 

 well dusted with pollen in their frantic efforts to 

 escape. 



Among our hedgerow plants the common 

 Cuckoo Pint affords an interesting study of the 

 way in which insect visitors are held captive. 

 Without pulling aside the greenish spathe of the 

 Arum it is impossible to see the true flowers, which 

 are clustered round the base of the upright column 

 called the spadix. At the bottom of all are to be 

 found the female flowers, and just above them is 

 the ring of male blossoms. Higher still we find 



