EARLY SUMMER FLOWERS 197 



main leaflets each of which is deeply divided, is reached. The 

 leaf -blade is softly hairy, especially above where it is of a deeper 

 green tint. The leaves are all similar, though in the flowering 

 region the blades are smaller and the stalks are very short. 



The main branch terminates in an inflorescence, and lateral 

 branches from the axils of its leaves end similarly and continue 

 the branching of the plant. The ultimate region of each shoot 

 bearing the flowers always consists of a thin cylindrical stem 

 bearing a pair of leaves reduced to their minute stipules. This 

 ends in the first flower, and in the axil of one of the reduced bracts 

 is a second flower opening later than the first one. The small 

 inflorescences have thus regularly two flowers (Fig. 90). 



The calyx of the flower consists of five sepals, which are not 

 joined together but stand so close and erect as to practically form 

 a tube enclosing the base of the flower. Each sepal has well 

 marked green veins bearing glandular hairs, and ends in a green 

 point tipped with red. Within the sepals, and alternating with 

 them, are the five petals forming the corolla. These are also free 

 from one another, and each consists of a stalk-like portion stand- 

 ing erect within the calyx, and a wider pink and red-coloured part, 

 which spreads out almost at right angles to the lower portion 

 and forms the conspicuous corolla. Each petal shows three 

 whitish streaks converging towards the centre of the flower. 



Projecting from this we find the stamens and stigma. The 

 stamens are ten in number, and form two whorls of five. Each has 

 a colourless stalk, which is flattened out at the base, but is slender 

 and cylindrical above, where it bears a reddish anther. This on 

 opening liberates the bright yellow pollen. The pistil, which is 

 clearly seen on removing the stamens, consists of the pale green, 

 five-lobed ovary, the style, which tapers upwards, and the reddish 

 stigma consisting of five diverging lobes. There are five carpels 

 composing the pistil, and in each of the five chambers of the ovary 

 is a single ovule. 



The flowers of the Herb-Robert are visited by insects, and are 

 usually cross-pollinated by their assistance. Nectar is secreted 

 by the outer sides of five of the stamens close to their attachment, 

 and accumulates in the bases of the sepals. The five outer stamens 

 open first, and when they are shedding their pollen the style is still 



