30 



PINKS, THYME. 



[chap. 



Fig. 30 represents a flower of the Pink in the first, 

 or male condition. The stamens are mature, and pro- 

 ject above the disk of the flower, while the pistil is 

 still concealed within the tube. On the other hand 

 Fig. 3 1 represents the same flower in a more advanced 

 condition ; the stamens have shrivelled up, while the 

 pistil now occupies their place. 



Again, Fig. 32 represents a flower of the Thyme 

 {Thymus serpyllum) and shews the four mature sta- 

 mens, aa, and the short, as yet undeveloped pistil, p. 



Fig. 30. — Pink in the first (male) 

 condition. 



Fig. 31. — Pink in the second conuiuun, 

 with mature stigmas. 



Fig. 33, on the contrary, represents a somewhat older 

 flower, in which the stamens are past maturity, while 

 the pistil,/, on the other hand, is considerably elon- 

 gated, and is ready for the reception of the pollen. 



Here it is at once obvious that insects alighting on 

 the younger (male) flowers would dust themselves with 

 pollen, some of which, if they subsequently alighted 

 on an older flower, they could not fail to deposit on 



