THE FLOWER 97 



well above the green leaves. We can guess at once 

 from this long stalk that the flower needs the help of 

 bees or flies. Whenever a flower is thrust high into 

 the air, we know that this is done either to catch the 

 eyes of passing insects, or in order that its pollen or 

 its seed may be more easily scattered. 



3. Why is the flower-stalk hairy ? The flower- 

 stalk is hairy, and many of the longer hairs point 

 downwards. The downward pointing hairs make it 

 harder for small insects to climb up to the flower. But, 

 does not the flower wish the insects to come to it ? 

 Yes, but not any insect. Bees and large flies are 

 welcome, because these go in at the front door, and 

 help to scatter the pollen. But ants and other small 

 insects often creep into the honey-tube without 

 touching the pollen-dust at all. Even if an ant be 

 touched, the pollen does not stick on its smooth 

 body ; and so the ant cannot carry pollen to another 

 flower. These honey-thieves take something from, 

 the flower and give nothing in return. The honey is 

 meant as a fee to the large flying insects that can do 

 work for the flower. Look now at the hairs on the 

 leaf-stalks of the plant, and you will see that few of 

 them point downwards ; for the leaves do not need to 

 be guarded like the flowers. 



4. The green sheath enclosing the flov/er- 

 cluster. At the end of the flower-stalk is a green 

 sheath, within which is packed a bunch of flowers. 

 Was ever packing so close and neat ! The sheath is 

 to keep the flowerbuds warm, and also to keep moths 

 and flies from laying their eggs in the flowers. You 

 may have found a rosebud with a grub inside. 



