FLORAL MECHANISMS 111 



and has to humour it for the sweet recompense 

 which she bestows. 



"This species of the Andromeda is a shrub of 

 about four feet in height, its blossoms being borne in 

 close panicled clusters at the summit of the branches. 

 The individual flower is hardly more than an eighth 

 of an incli in diameter. The first sketch (page 

 110) shows the remarkable interior arrangement 

 of the ten stamens surrounding the pistil. The 

 second presents a sectional view of these stamens, 

 showing their peculiar S -shaped filaments, and 

 ring of anthers, one of these latter being shown 

 separate at the left, with its two pores and ex- 

 posed pollen. The freshly opened blossom dis- 

 closes the entire ring of anthers in perfect equi- 

 librium, each with its two orifices closed by close 

 contact with the stjde, thus retaining the pollen. 

 It will readily be seen that an insect's tongue, as 

 indicated in the drawing, in probing between them 

 in search of nectar must needs dislocate one or more 

 of the anthers and thus release their dusty contents, 

 while the position of the stigma below is such as to 

 escape all contact." 



This saving up of the pollen and then throwing 

 it forcibly at the right moment seems a family trait 

 of the Heath family, seen to better advantage in 

 the lovely flowers of the mountain laurel. 



