The Riddle of the Uluets 



those of the high anthers bcino; much larger than 

 those from the lower anthers. These larger grains 

 are intended for the high stigma, which they are 

 sure of reaching, while those of smaller size, on the 

 top of the tongue, which should happen to be 

 wiped off on the high stigma, are too small to be 

 effective for fertilization, accomplishing their pur- 

 pose only when deposited on the low stigma to 

 which they are adapted. 



The flowers with high stigmas and low stamens 

 are never found on the same plant as those with low 

 stigmas and high stamens— in fact, the two forms 

 grow in separate patches. 



The stigma of either variety is rarely exactly the 

 same length as the stamen producmg the pollen 

 which will fertilize it, but the variation is very slight. 



The little meadow fritillary, Brcnthis bcllona, is 

 the chief butterfly visitor of the bluets, but it is not 

 nearly so effective a worker as the small bees that 

 also sip these sweets, since it is apt to fertilize only 

 the short-styled blossoms, avoiding the stigma in the 

 long-styled flowers, and sipping their honey from 



the side. 



Much the same mechanism that distinguishes the 

 bluets may be seen in the flax, the partridge-berry, 

 the bouvardia, and the cowslii). 



