146 THE DEAD NETTLE. [chai-. 



the formjr before touching the latter, and conse- 

 quently generally deposits upon the stigma pollen 

 from another flower. The small processes (Figs, 

 no, III in) on each side of the lower lip are the 

 rudiments of the lateral leaves with which the an- 

 cestors of the Lamium are provided. Thus, then, 

 we see how every part of this flower is either — like 

 the size and shape of the arched upper lip, the re- 

 lative position of the pistil and anthers, the length 

 and narrowness of the tube, the size and position 

 of the lower lip, the ring of hairs, and the honey 

 -^adapted to ensure the transference, by bees, of 

 pollen from one flower to another ; or, like the 

 minute lateral points {in), an inheritance from more 

 highly-developed organs of ancestors. If we com- 

 pare Lamium with other flowers we shall see how 

 great a saving is effected by this beautiful adaptation. 

 The stamens are reduced to four, the stigma almost 

 to a point ; how great a contrast to the pines and 

 their clouds of pollen, or even to such a flower as 

 the Nymphsea, where the visits of insects are se- 

 cured, but the transference of the pollen to the 

 stigma is, so to say, accidental. Yet the fertilisa- 

 tion of Lamium is not less effectually secured than 

 in either of these. 



Lamium maculatum has a somewhat longer tube 

 (15 — 17 mm.) than L. album, and only bees with a 

 long proboscis can therefore suck it. B. terrestris, 

 however, obtains access to it by force, and B. rayellus, 

 according to H. Miiller, uses the holes made by B. 

 terrestris. In L. piirpureiim the tube is somewhat 

 shorter. 



