62 MYSTERIES OF THE FLOWERS 



concealing the stamens under the two upper petals, 

 as under a hood. In this state, an insect who calls 

 will be sure to strike the pistil, and to leave upon 

 it any pollen he may bring. 



A little later, this pistil droops, the upper petals 

 curl back, as in the lower small sketch, and the sta- 

 mens fill the approach to the flower's throat, ready 

 to give up their pollen to any passing guest. 



Thus we see that the two stages of the jNIullein 

 flower, the pistillate and the staminate, are as dis- 

 tinct as if the flowers were monoecious. 



FIGWORT 



Common Figwort — Scrophularia 

 marilandica 

 July-Sept. 



The common figwort ex- 

 hibits a very simple con- 

 trivance for making cer- 

 tain that the bee shall 

 touch the pistil before 

 reaching the pollen. When 

 the flower first expands 

 the pistil alone is seen at 

 the opening of the throat, 

 where it is sure to receive 

 any pollen that an arriv- 

 ing insect may bring. The 



