Hou: the Flowers Woo the Insects 



exploding flowers, flower traps, stamen embraces, 

 pollen showers, pollen })lasters, and pollen necklaces. 

 Darwin discovered tliat the pollen of Orchis iiiorio, 

 whose apparent lack of nectar so puzzled Spren- 

 gel, must be actually glued to the insect in order to 

 insure its safety. The flower, therefore, requires 

 the insect to bore through an outer skin to reach 

 his food. While he is thus employed, the pollen is 

 securely fastened to him. 



Pistils are no exception to the rule ; they, as well 

 as every other organ, must be modified to suit the 

 flower's affinity. They must be formed so as to 

 secure and retain the pollen gifts brought to their 

 stigmas. The variations are not so great as among 

 the stamens, but, nevertheless, there is wonderful 

 diversity. 



The flower is even placed on its stalk in a posi- 

 tion convenient for the insect's entrance. 



With Darwin as our guide, then, and the insect 

 as our key — an open sesame — the hidden treasure 

 is revealed. It is now quite possible, as Darwin 

 demonstrated, to look upon a flower for the first 

 lime and from its structure foretell the method of 

 its intended cross-fertilization — nay, more, possibly 

 the kind or even the species of insect to which this 

 cross-fertilization is entrusted. 



27 



