34 VIGNETTES FROM NATURE. 



many respects been carried to an extremely 

 high pitch. True, they cannot compare in 

 complexity with the orchids or the dead- 

 nettles, nor even with the little daisies and 

 dandelions around them. Yet In their own 

 way they have found themselves a place in 

 nature which they are well fitted not only to 

 fill but also to adorn. There are two common 

 kinds in England, known to botanists as the 

 day and night lychnis respectively, but to 

 village children as red and white campion. 

 The correspondence of these two names is 

 full of significance. The day lychnis has a 

 bright pink blossom, quite scentless, and 

 opening in the morning. It is specialised 

 for fertilisation by bees and butterflies (more 

 particularly the latter), which are colour-loving 

 insects, and which hunt by sight mainly, 

 always during the hours of sunlight. The 

 night lychnis, on the other hand, has white 

 blossoms, opening in the evening, and faintly 

 scented with a vague but pleasant perfume. 

 It is specialised for fertilisation by moths. 



