BLOSSOM-TIME 45 



kins borne on the stems of the branches. These 

 are the pistillate flower clusters which ripen 

 into chestnut burrs, each containing from one 

 to-three fat, brown nuts. 



Now, too, the oatalpa spreads its gorgeous 

 bouquet, until the broad, heart-shaped leaves 

 are fairly hidden by the showy panicles of white 

 and cream. The inner surface of each blossom 

 is flecked with purple and gold. The tubular, 

 two-lipped flower is so poised that its upper 

 lip shields the pollen from rain, while the lower 

 one offers a convenient shelf -like standing place 

 for the insects, upon whose good offices the tree 

 depends. The catalpa, like the linden, secretes 

 nectar in its leaves. This oozes out of groups 

 ■of tiny glands, situated at the angles where the 

 large side veins part from the mid-rib, and 

 serves as an additional bait to the insects which 

 might be tempted to pass the catalpa bloom in 

 favor of the many flowers blossoming in field 

 and garden at this season. 



We are told that "The bee which comes to 

 the catalpa can learn from its code signal, not 

 only whereabouts the nectar may be sought, but 

 whether it is worth while to seek it at all." 

 Suppose we look into this : 



Inside each thimble-shaped bloom are two 

 stamens, with a pistil standing up straight and 



