74 



STELLARIA, CERASTIUM. 



[CHAP. 



and the three periods are more distinct, but the flower 

 still retains the power of self-fertilisation. 



In . media (the Chickweed) the flowers are less 

 conspicuous, and the five inner stamens are often 

 rudimentary or entirely absent ; nay, two of the 

 five outer ones are sometimes also rudimentary, 

 though their honey-gland is always present. It is 

 also proterandrous. 



F'lG. 62. Stellaria graminea, 



Cerastium arvense agrees with Stellaria Holostea in 

 the position of the honey-glands, and in the sequence 

 of development of the stamens and pistil. It is 

 much frequented by insects. In other forms of this 

 genus, as, for instance, in C. semidecandrum (which 

 Bentham regards as a variety of C. vulgatuni), the 

 flowers are less conspicuous, and in consequence the 

 visits of insects are fewer, the priority of the stamens 

 is less marked, and self- fertilisation is more frequent. 



