THE SOLDANELLAS 



65 



honey secreted by the nectary at the base of the 

 corolla, inserts its proboscis between the style and 

 the obliquely placed stamens, the moment the former 

 is separated from the latter a shower of pollen falls 

 on to the insect's head. This, as likely as not, is 



FIG. IV. 



1 and 2. The Alpine Soldanella (Soldanella alpina, Linn.). 



1. Longitudinal section of the flower. 2. Section across the flower on the level 

 of the scales ; *, scales ; n, nectary ; k, calyx. Fig. 2 shows how the 

 ring of five scales closes the entrance to the lower portion of the flower. 



3 and 4. The Small Soldanella (8. pusilla, Baumg.). 



8. Longitudinal section through the flower. 4. Section across the flower in 

 the plane of the anthers. (All after Schroeter.) 



carried to another flower of the same species, and 

 placed on the stigma at the tip of the style as the 

 insect enters the flower. 



The interior of the flower of an Alpine Soldanella 

 can only be approached by flying insects. The 

 drooping position of the bell, with mouth directed 



E 



