112 FIRST STUDIES IN PLANT LIFE 



stronger than the other petals so as to bear the 

 insect's weight. 



4. Now let us look at an irregular flower— the 

 snapdragon, and see whether this gives 

 us a clue to its curious shape. Think of 

 a great bee, the humble bee of England, 

 coming down heavily on the outer edge 

 of the flower tube. Think of this going 

 on for a thousand years ! Would the 



inegiuar flower, edge on which the bee rested not become 

 Snapdragon. ' ^^^^^^^^ ^han the opposite edge ? What 



happens when you use your right hand more than 

 your left hand? Why are the muscles of a black- 

 smith's arms " strong as iron bands " ? Exactly the 

 same rule holds in plant life. This has been actually 

 proved by hanging weights on leaves and twigs. The 

 fibres, which are the muscles of the leaf-stalk, become 

 larger and stronger. 



5. How the snapdragon got its mouth. It was 

 probably in this way that the edge of the snapdragon 

 flower-tube became larger and stronger; and as the 

 edge was broadened and bent down, the tube below it 

 was pinched in till the entrance to the flower was 

 closed. So firmly was it closed that only the great 

 humble-bee can force its way m. The little hive-bee 

 tries to go in sometimes, but is hardly strong enough. 

 Inside, as well as outside, the flower-tube is planned 

 to suit this large bee. The only way in which thieves 

 can get to the honey is by biting a hole in the bottom 

 of the tube. Yesterday, I noticed a honey-bird busy 

 among the flowers of a snapdragon ; and when I looked 

 closely I found that every one of the tubes had been 

 pierced by the bird's bill just above the honey stores ! 



