On Flowers and Insects. 



121 



are small in size, and do not possess either colour, 

 scent, or honey. 



Though the pistil is generally surrounded by a 

 row of stamens, there are comparatively few cases 

 in which the pollen of the latter falls directly 

 on the former. On the contrary, this transference 

 is in most cases effected in other ways, generally 



Fig. 27. BROAD DOCK (Rumex obtusifolius). 



by means of the wind, of insects, or, in some cases, 

 of birds. In the former case, however, by far the 

 greater part of the pollen is wasted ; and much more 

 must therefore be produced than in those cases 

 where it is carried by insects. 



3. One advantage, of course, is the great economy 

 of pollen. We have not much information on the 



