THE WELCOMES OF THE FLOWERS 1 23 



This mechanism of the sage is but one of many 

 curious and various contrivances in the Mint fam- 

 ily, all designed for the same end, the intercross- 

 ing of the flowers. 



While each family of plants is apt to favor 

 some particular general plan, the modifications in 

 the various species seem almost without limit. 



Let us now look at the Heath family. The 

 family of the heath, cranberry, pyrola, Andromeda, 

 and mountain-laurel — how do these blossoms wel- 

 come their insect friends ? This group is partic- 

 ulai-ly distinguished by the unusual exception in 

 the form of its anthers, which open by pores at 

 their tips, instead of the ordinary side fissures. 

 Two or three forms of these anthers are shown in 

 my row of stamens (Fig. i). 



Seen thus in their detached condition, how in- 

 comprehensible and grotesque do they appear! 

 And yet, when viewed at home, in their bell- 

 shaped corollas, their hospitable expression and 

 greeting are seen to be quite as expressive and 

 rational as those of the sage. Take the moun- 

 tain-laurel, for instance; what a singular exhibition 

 is this which we may observe on any twilight 

 evening in the laurel copse, the dense clusters of 

 pink-white bloom waited upon by soft-winged flut- 

 tering moths, and ever and anon celebrating its 



