10 Animal Life 
It is astonishing how little many people 
even among those who live in the country, know 
about our commonest trees and shrubs. Many do 
not seem to know that all trees have flowers. 
This is no doubt because in so many of them— 
Oaks, Elms, Beech, Ash and others, they are small 
and green. Indeed, speaking generally, we may 
say that when the pollen is carried from one 
flower to another by ‘the wind the flowers are 
small and green. In such cases, however, an 
immense quantity of pollen is wasted. Hyeryone 
must have noticed the great clouds of pollen 
produced by Scotch Firs. On the contrary, when 
it is carried by insects much economy is effected. 
In such cases it is an advantage that flowers 
should be of a different colour from the leaves, 
because it renders them more conspicuous. The 
scent acts in the same way, and the honey gives 
the insects a definite iducement for their visits. 
It is obvious that any blossom which differs 
from the form and size best adopted to secure 
the due transference of the pollen would be less 
From a drawing by Professor F. E. Hulme, F.L.8.,F.8.4. likely to be fertilised than others; while on the 
Fie 3) other hand, those richest in honey, sweetest, and 
most conspicuous, would most surely attract the 
attention and secure the visits of insects; and thus, just as our gardeners, by selecting 
seed from the most beautiful varieties, have done so much to adorn our gardens; so 
have insects, by fertilising the largest and most brilliant flowers, contributed unconsciously, 
but not less effectually, to the beauty of our woods and fields. 
Let us take some familiar flower and see if we can suggest explanations for the 
colour, form, and structure : 
The flower of the common white Deadnettle* (vg. 1) consists of a narrow tube, 
somewhat expanded at the upper end, where the lower lobe of the corolla forms a 
platform, on each side of which is a small projecting lobe (Mig. 2 m). The upper 
portion of the corolla is an arched hood, (Fig. 2 co), under which he four anthers (aa) 
in pairs, while between them, and projecting somewhat downwards, is the pomted pistil 
(st). At the lower part, the tube contams honey, and above the honey is a row of 
hairs almost closmg the tube. 
Now, why has the flower this peculiar form? What regulates the length of the 
tube? What is the use of the arch? What lessons do these lobes teach us? What 
advantage is the honey to the flower? Of what use is the fringe of hairs? Why does 
_the stigma project beyond the anthers? and why is the corolla white while the rest of 
the plant is green ? 
The answers I believe are as follows:—In the first place, the honey attracts 
insects. If there were no honey, they would have no object in visiting the flower. 
The bright colour is useful in rendering the flowers conspicuous. The platform serves 
as an alighting stage for bees. The length of the tube has reference to that of their 
proboscis, and prevents the smaller species from obtaining access to the honey, which 
would be injurious to the flower, as it would remove the source of attraction for the 
White > i 
DEAD-NETTLE. | # 
*See my Flowers, Fruits, and Leaves, p. 1 (Macmillan). 
