88 MYSTERIES OF THE FLOWERS 



above, thus protecting the stigmatic surface from 

 any of the pollen of home production. 



But the bee is now free to go to another flower, 

 carrying his pollen load just where it will strike the 

 stigma. However, as he passes under the arched 

 canopy of the new flower, the little tongue will act 

 not as a valve to close, but as a scoop to scrape 

 the pollen off upon the stigma. 



While the iris has ever been admired because of 

 its grace and beauty, I believe that the reader will 

 find it still more interesting on account of its in- 

 genious adaptation to the work it has to accomplish. 



Trumpet-creeper — Tecoma radicans 

 August-Sept. 



Though in no way related to the foregoing 

 flower, the trumpet-creeper has learned in some 

 way its secret device and makes use of its patent 

 without paying royalty. In the showy trumpet- 

 flovv'ers we find pistils terminating in valve-like 

 stigmas, which act exactly like those of the iris. 

 The stamens are concealed in the roof of the flower, 

 their four anthers being arranged in two groups, 

 as seen in the figure. Being a native of the South- 

 ern States, where humming-birds are common, the 

 flowers have so arranged their form, position, and 

 colour as to ofl*er an attractive welcome to the 



