THE GRASS-OF-PARNASSUS 



217 



flower. More internally we find five normal fertile 

 stamens, and then five barren stamens, greatly 

 modified in form. The latter are branched structures, 

 reminding one of a group of small pins arranged in a 

 cushion in a fan-like manner (Text-fig. XX.). The 

 ovary is seen in the centre of the flower, and divides 

 above into four stigmas. The fertile stamens, when 

 young, are bent inwards over the ovary. They shed 

 their pollen one at a time, and 

 then bend backwards and out- 

 wards, one by one, the filament 

 or stalk also elongating con- 

 siderably. 



There has been much 

 speculation as to the use of 

 the modified stamens to the 

 plant. The flower is cross- 

 fertilised by flies. The anthers 

 shed their pollen before the 

 stigmas are ripe, and thus 

 self- fertilisation is impossible. 



Honey is secreted at the base, and on the inner 

 side of the modified stamens. But at first sight 

 the little yellow knobs, glistening in the sun at the 

 tops of the pin-like lobes of the branches of these 

 organs, appear quite like drops of honey. These are 

 really false nectaries, and not true honey-glands. 

 Flies are constantly being deceived by them, and 

 have been watched licking the false glands under the 

 impression that honey would be forthcoming. 



Fig. XX. — A Staminode from 

 a Flower of the Grass-of- 

 Parnassus {Parnassia palus- 

 tris, Linn.). Much magni- 

 fied. 



