Studies of .Selected Spermatophytes. 245 



upon a long upright stem which, however, bends over 

 and downward at its upper end ? Answer : First, in 

 order that no raindrop can get at the nectar; for if the 

 stem were quite straight and the flower stood upright 

 in consequence, the end of the spur where the nectar 

 occurs would be the lowest part of the flower, and rain- 

 drops which fall into the flower would flow down into the 

 spur and mix with the nectar and spoil it. But since the 

 upper part of the stem bends down, the flower hangs down ; 

 and the end of the spur is the highest part of it, into which 

 no raindrop can flow. Second, in order that when the 

 flower is shaken by the wind, which must often occur on 

 account of the length of the stem, the pollen may fall into 

 the lowest part of the funnel. If the stem were straight 

 and the flower had an upright position, the pollen would 

 fall into the part of the funnel which would then be the 

 lowest, that is, the upper part formed by the filaments ; so 

 it would lie there when a bee visits the flower, and never 

 be brought upon the stigma. 



"Why does the pollen have the peculiar quality described, 

 and why is it so different from the pollen of other nectar- 

 bearing flowers ? Answer : In other nectariferous flowers 

 the pollen is to be rubbed off by insects, and so it clings 

 somewhat firmly in order that the wind may not blow it 

 away. In this flower, however, it is to collect in the lower 

 part of the funnel in order to be able to fall out when a bee 

 makes an opening. So if it remained in the anthers, the 

 flower would never be fertilized. Why is the base of the 

 style so slender .'' Answer : In order that the bee may lift 

 up the style the more easil}'. But why is this base a little 

 crooked .'' and why does the retroflexed end of the style 

 make a somewhat acute instead of a right angle with the 

 style .'' Answer : Both serve the same purpose as the last- 



