178 



ALLUREMENTS OF ANIMALS FOR THE DISPERSION OF POLLEN. 



c?ro7i ferruginevm, and hirsutum), as well as in Monotropa, the honey-secreting 

 portion of the corolla is thickened and fleshy, and each of the petals, which are 

 fused together, is hollowed into a groove at the base. In the rotate corollas of 

 Ophelia, belonging to the Gentian family, each of the petals is provided with a 

 nectar-depression at its base. In the flowers of the non-twining Honeysuckles 

 (Lonicera alpigena, nigra, Xylostevm, &c.) the corolla possesses a honey-forming 

 expansion above the base, and in the flowers of the Calceolarias (Calceolaria 

 amplexicaulis, floribunda, Pavonii, &c.) the nectary is hidden in the end of 

 the up-turned lower petal as if in a shell. The corolla of the Valerian (Valeriana 

 globularicefolia, montana, officvnalis, &c.) manufactures its honey in a small 

 expansion which may be seen on the side of the corolla-tube (cf. fig. 249), and in 

 the flowers of the Butterwort (Pinguicula) the corolla is nar- 

 rowed backwards into a pointed spur (cf. Plate II. opposite p. 143, 

 vol. i.). In the flowers of the Pansy (Viola), only one of the 

 five petals has a honey-collecting spur; in those of the Columbine 

 (Aquilegia), on the other hand, each of the petals is drawn out 

 into a spur which develops honey in its club-shaped, thickened 

 end. The small white petals of the Sundew (JDrosera) terminate 

 at their base in a yellow claw whose tissue secretes a little 

 honey. The same thing occurs in the flowers of the Buttercup 

 (Ranunculus), only here the honey-producing tissue is sharply 

 defined and appears as the lining of a circular or oval depres- 

 sion, which, in many cases, is uncovered — as, for example, in 

 Ranunculus alpestris — but in others is roofed in by a scale, 

 as in Ranunculus glacialis (see figs. 246 ^■^'*). The flowers 

 of Hypecoum have two opposite petals, each divided into three 

 lobes, and at the base of these, under the central lobe, a large 

 pit is developed which is filled with the honey abundantly secreted there (see 

 figs. 251° and 251®). The nectaries in the flowers of Swertia, belonging to the 

 Gentianacese, are very remarkable. Two pits surrounded by a strong circular wall 

 are seen some millimetres above the base of the flower on each petal, and a long 

 fringe like a portcullis hangs down from this wall over the pit. The tissue which 

 forms the lining of the pit develops a quantity of honey, and as the grating does 

 not completely cover the pit the honey may be seen shining through it. 



We must also consider here those remarkable nectaries interpolated between 

 the floral-leaves and stamens of many Droseracese, Berberidacese, and Eanuncu- 

 laceae, to which the name of "honey -leaves" has recently been given. They display 

 the most peculiar forms, and correspond but slightly to the description commonly 

 given of a leaf. For example, in the Grass of Parnassus (Parnassia, fig. 267 % 

 belonging to the Droseracese, they resemble a hand, on the concave side of which 

 are two honey-secreting depressions, the eleven slender processes which correspond 

 to the fingers terminating in rounded heads. In the flowers of Epirfiediv/m, belong- 

 ing to the Berberidacese, they are shaped like a slipper. In those of Love-in-a-mist 



Fig. 249.— Flower of the 

 Wild Valerian (Fa- 

 lerianct officinalis), 

 cut through longi- 

 tudinally. 



