162 PLANTS GROWING IN RICH OR ROCKY SOIL. 



lobed. Stamens: ten; the anthers of each one held by a depression of the 

 corolla. Pistil: one. Leaves: alternate; elliptical; entire; evergreen and 

 shiny. Stem : ten to thirty feet high ; woody. 



All flowers are lovely, but the beauty of the laurel has placed 

 it where it stands quite alone ; and by many lovers of flowers / 

 it is thought to be the most beautiful of those native to 

 America. It is also endeared to us by its many virtues. It is 

 i very domestic, and has a strong love for its own home. Its 

 mind is blessed with a rare contentment. In fact, it will sel- 

 dom endure transplanting ; unless care has been taken to pro- 

 vide for it soil of the same quality as that of its chosen groves. 



The construction of the flower is on the plan of a wheel, and 

 the stamens correspond to the spokes. Each filament is held 

 and slightly arched by the anther, which is caught in a 

 pouch of the corolla. The device of this little trap is most in- 

 genious and the mechanism very fine. It is set for Master Bee 

 and patiently awaits his coming. When he brushes against it, 

 or jostles it the least little bit, the anthers become dislodged, 

 spring up and let fly from their cells right in his face, or over 

 his back, such a volley of pollen that the poor, old, drowsy 

 thing is quite disconcerted. Thinking himself inhospitably re- 

 ceived, he then betakes himself to the next flower, only to find 

 that his back is made heavier by another cargo of pollen, while 

 the protruding stigma is busy relieving him of his first load. 

 The clamminess of the calyx and stems is undoubtedly to pre- 

 vent such small insects as would be unable to carry the pollen 

 for cross-fertilization, from climbing up into the flower and in- 

 terfering with its arrangements. 



Children that are in sympathy with the bees know of this 

 trap, and will invariably knock the blossoms with their little fin- 

 gers for the pure pleasure of seeing the anthers spring up and 

 the pollen fly. As yet, the bees have not taught them the after 

 labour of carrying the pollen. 



The leaves of the plant are unfortunately poisonous. A crys- 

 talline substance that is readily dissolved out of them by cold 

 water, is said to be more deadly than strychnine. Cattle and 



