120 



DICOTYLEDONS 



one (ps) is hood-like; irregular. Petals eight; the two 

 posterior (//) petals are long-clawed nectaries concealed under 

 the large posterior sepal/ the other petals {af) are small or 

 absent. There are three separate carpels, each with many 

 parietal ovules in the ovary. The fruit consists of three 

 follicles. The flower is irregular, and is zygomorphic in a 

 median plane. Pollination. — The flower is proterandrous ; 



Figs. T5T, TS2. — Flower of Monkshood : ^?-=bract ; ^r=prophylls. 



pollination by its own pollen appears to be thus rendered 

 impossible. Cross-pollination is accomplished exclusively by 

 the aid of humble-bees. As the humble-bee alights on the 

 flower, it uses the two lateral sfepals as a platform, and the 

 consequence is that the lower surface of the bee's body comes 

 into contact with the anthers and stigmas. In freshly-opened 

 flowers it is the anthers against which the insect strikes. But 

 in older flowers the stamens have bent back, and the stigmas, 

 which are now ripe, touch the lower surface of the body of the 

 bee at precisely the same spot as do the anthers in a younger 



