PERFECT FLOWERS 



71 



stigma is yet undeveloped and hidden in the tube. 

 After the pollen is shed this latter elongates and 

 opens to receive the vivifying touch of an insect. 



Notice that some of the stamens wear a little 

 pointed hood, protecting their anthers, apparently 

 as a rain-shelter. 



Also another peculiarity should be remarked : At 

 the base of each petal are two little points, or spurs, 

 which act both as barriers against rain and to pre- 

 vent the entrance of small, crawling insects, whose 

 visits are not desired. 



First night Second night Third night 



NIGHT-FLOWERING CATCH-FLY 



Night-flowering Catch-fly — Silene noctiflora 



Like the Saponaria, this is one of the pink family 

 which immigrated to America from the Old World 

 and brought with it strange, foreign habits worth 

 studying. It has a way of opening its petals three 

 nights in succession. Notice that there are five 

 petals, and ten stamens, five of these opposite the 

 petals, and five alternating with them. 



