SPECIAL EXERCISES ON TYPICAL FLOWERS 



213 



Can a fly get in ? How about small insects like ants which 

 are fond of sweets? Having seen a bee enter a toadflax 

 blossom and come out again, examine a flower, paying 

 special attention to the position of stamens and pistils. In 

 the light of these observations, how are these flowers adapted 

 to insect pollination. 



Note. Other plants which resemble the toadflax are the 

 mulleins, gerardia, foxglove, turtlehead, and snapdragon. All 

 are good for laboratory exercises. Mullein is noted for its leaves, 

 which are covered with branching hairs. Foxglove is a beautiful 

 garden flower from which the poison digitalis is obtained. 



182. A MINT 



The characteristics of the mint family are so definite that 

 any of the following plants may be selected as typical: 

 catnip, peppermint, 

 spearmint, gill, skull- 

 cap, salvia, and heal- 

 all. 



Method. Study 

 the plant as a whole, 

 noting position of 

 the stem, whether 

 erect, creeping, etc., 

 and shape of the 

 stem. What is the 

 leaf arrangement ? 

 Bruise a leaf and in- 

 hale the odor. What 

 is the flower arrange- 

 ment (inflorescence) ? 



FIG. 96. A mint. 



Remove a flower and determine : 



1. Form of calyx and number of sepals. 



