4S0 



THB beb-kbbpbr's guidb ; 



heads, and when the plants are showy with bloom, like the 

 sunflowers, the brilliancy is due to the involucre, or bracts, 

 which serve as a frill to decorate the more modest flowers. 



The great willow-herb, or fireweed (Epilobium angusti- 

 folium), (Fig. 252), is often the source of immense honey-har- 

 vests. The downy seeds blow to great distances, and, finding 



Fig. 252. 



rireni Willow-Hcrb, after Gray. 



A Flower with ripe stigma. 



>S7 Unripe stamens. 



r Petal. 



T Pollen-tube. 



S Ripe stitrma. 

 Jt Flower with ripe pollen. 

 I'ii Pollen-grain. 



a lodgment, their vitality makes them burst forth whenever 

 brush is burned or forest fires rage. Hence the name, fire- 

 weed. This handsome plant often covers acres of burnt lands 

 in northern Michigan with its beautiful pink bloom. Unlike 

 most nectar from late bloom, the honey from this flower is 



