164 THE BOOK OF NATURE STUDY 



stamens are attached to it opposite to the three outer perianth 

 leaves. These have short, rather stout stalks, and large anthers, 

 which open outwards to shed the abundant yellow pollen. The 

 slender style springs from the summit of the ovary, and extends 

 upwards through the narrow part of the tube and between the 

 stamens for some distance above the latter. It then divides 

 into the three orange-coloured stigmas, each of which is rolled 

 inwards to form a tube, while the edge is fringed. 



It is further to be noted, in considering the structure of this 

 flower, that nectar is secreted by three glands which extend as 

 slits into the partitions of the ovary. The nectar accumulates in 

 the narrow region of the tube, which is usually completely filled by 

 it. A fringe of hairs at the level of the attachment of the stamens 

 serves to cover in the nectar. 



The flowers are very sensitive to changes of temperature, 

 warmth causing the perianth leaves to bend apart and disclose 

 the stigma and stamens, while the flower remains closed in 

 cold and damp weather. They are visited by numbers of the 

 insects found in early spring, especially by bees which may 

 come in search of either nectar or pollen. Since the stigma 

 projects well beyond the anthers, an insect already dusted with 

 pollen from another flower will be likely to rub some of this 

 on the stigma as it enters. Whether it feeds on the pollen or 

 creeps past the stamens to get at the nectar, the insect is sure 

 to get covered with pollen. The warmth which causes the 

 flowers to open will be likely to induce insects to visit flowers in 

 search of food. 



When the flower is fertilised the perianth droops and withers 

 and ultimately falls off. The ovary develops into the fruit, which 

 is raised to the surface of the soil by further growth of the flower- 

 stalk. Later, as the fruit ripens it is raised still higher, quite clear 

 of the soil. The fruit ripens about June and is a somewhat three- 

 angled capsule, which opens by splitting into three valves to 

 liberate the numerous rather large seeds. 



The foliage dies down shortly after this, and the later stages 

 of the development of the new corm, and the preparation of the 

 shoots for next season, are carried out below the surface of the soil, 

 all trace of the plant above ground having disappeared. It will be 



