i2o FLASHLIGHTS ON NATURE 



specimens of Dutch clover. But if you gaze closer 

 you will see that each tiny head consists of two 

 or three properly developed flowers, with four 

 or five undeveloped or abortive blossoms in the 

 centre of the group. These undeveloped blossoms 

 form a sort of living corkscrew. After fertilisation, 

 the stems bend down towards the ground ; the 

 corkscrew-like abortive flowers worm their way by 

 pushing into the soil ; the pods are pressed down 

 or buried in the loose mould ; and the plant thus 

 sows its own seed for itself quite as effectually as 

 a gardener could sow it. This is, perhaps, the 

 furthest point which maternal solicitude has ever 

 reached in the vegetable kingdom. 



