266 NATURE'S STORY OF THE YEAR 



wreck has bloomed in sunshine, amid thick grasses 

 that jostled, as though conversing, .in the breeze. 

 The dry and brittle seedhead, falling in fragments 

 to the ground, has supported radiant petals and 

 exhaled sweet odours ; laid bare its heart to the 

 early sun ; opened wide its stores of sweets to 

 attract the passing insects ; basked through the 

 bright hours ; and retired within itself when even- 

 ing chills foretold the night. At morning, all fresh 

 with dew, it was again wooed by the bright rays. 

 Apparently insensible, it was not the less receptive. 

 The flower entices the insect, and the result of the 

 temptation is found in the scattered seeds of 

 autumn. In the growth of a plant, and the slowly 

 explanding glories of a flower, are analogies to the 

 impulses which lead animals afar in search of a 

 mate. In one sense practically every flower is a 

 passion-flower. She also appreciates the sunshine, 

 grows towards it, turns her face to it, and is affected 

 by the amount of light and heat thus obtained. 

 She attracts the beetle and moth, butterfly and 

 bee, and promises them a feast. But she does not 

 quickly perceive their presence ; she cannot spread 

 wider her tracery to bring down the passing butter- 



