66 TYPICAL FLOWERS OF ALPINE PASTURES 



downwards, and possibly also the fringed edge, bars 

 access to insects crawling upwards from below by 

 means of the flower-stalk. But, in this plant, as it 

 were, to make doubly sure that only insects with a 

 long and stout proboscis shall reach the honey, and 

 incidentally cross-fertilise the plant in the manner 

 already indicated, the nectary is also protected, or, as 

 it is called, " concealed." If we examine a flower of this 

 species more closely (Text-fig. IV., 1 and 2), we shall 

 find that just below the level of the insertion of the 

 stamens on the corolla, and alternating with them, 

 there are five membranous scales projecting across 

 the base of the bell (Text-fig. IV., 2). These scales 

 roof in a little chamber above the ovary, and act like 

 trap doors, having to be raised or pressed down by 

 the insect before it can get at the honey. Thus this 

 plant is specially adapted to cross-fertilisation only 

 by a particular class of insects which possess a long 

 and strong proboscis. 



In the Small Soldanella (Text-fig. IV, 3 and 4) 

 these scales are absent, and the tips of the stamens 

 are not produced into horns, as in the Alpine 

 Soldanella. 



THE PRIMULAS. 



We are familiar in Britain with several Primulas, 

 especially the Primrose, Cowslip, and Oxlip. All of 

 these also occur in Switzerland, but the Oxlip is the 

 only one which is commonly met with, within the 

 Alpine zone, at comparatively low elevations. In 



