I20 P'lashlights on NATI'RE 



specimens of Dutch clover. But if you ^aze closer 

 you will see that each tiny head consists of two 

 or three properly developed flowers, with four 

 or five undeveloped or abortive blossoms in the 

 centre of the j^roup. These undeveloped blossoms 

 form a sort of living corkscrew. After fertilisation, 

 the stems bend down towards the ground ; the 

 corkscrew-like abortive flowers worm their way by 

 pushinj^ into the soil ; the pods are pressed down 

 or buried in the loose mould ; and the plant thus 

 sows its own seed for itself quite as effectually as 

 a gardener could sow it. This is, perhaps, the 

 furthest point which maternal solicitude has ever 

 reached in the vegetable kingdom. 



