EARLY SUMMER FLOWERS 223 



the underground stem (Rh.), the contractile roots (R 1 ), the 

 absorptive roots (R 2 ), and the lateral buds borne on the sides of 

 the stem (B) will be found as has been described above. The 

 terminal leafy shoot, however, ends in a long green erect stem, the 

 stalk of the inflorescence. Since the apex has grown into this, 

 it cannot continue the growth of the shoot next season, and this 

 must be carried on by one or more of the lateral branches. 



The inflorescence consists of a cylindrical green stem with 

 elongated internodes. It bears a few leaves of diminishing size, 

 and with no branches in their axils. Then come smaller bracts, 

 and the stem ends in the first flower. In the axil of one of these 

 bracts stands the second flower, the stalk of which bears a single 

 small bract ; in the axil of this the third flower develops, and so on. 

 Each axis ends in a flower, and produces another flower as its 

 single lateral branch. The succession of flowers, which is not 

 clearly shown in the plate, requires to be carefully looked for, 

 since the opening flower always appears to stand at the summit 

 of the shoot. Branch inflorescences may be developed in the axils 

 of one or more of the lower leaves on the inflorescence. 



The flower of the Iris is one of the most beautifully constructed 

 arrangements to ensure cross-pollination by means of insects. Its 

 structure and mode of working were made out by Sprengel, the 

 discoverer of insect-pollination, and should be carefully studied 

 in several specimens. Each flower has a rounded flower-stalk, 

 which bears the bracteole mentioned above near its base. The 

 flower-stalk, which lengthens just before the flower opens and 

 thus carries it clear of the bracts, continues into the three-sided 

 green, inferior ovary. If this is cut across it will be found to have 

 three flattened sides, while the angles are truncated, and each shows 

 a narrower groove. The three partitions extend inwards from the 

 middle of the flat sides, and each of the three cavities has two 

 rows of ovules springing from the central angle. 



The perianth of the flower (Fig. 101) consists of six yellow leaves 

 forming two whorls. The leaves of the outer series are broader and 

 recurved, while the inner ones are narrow and erect. All six join 

 together to form a short tubular region just above the inferior 

 ovary. The inner surface of the tube is yellowish, and secretes 

 the abundant nectar, which accumulates around the base of the 



