INSECT POLLINATION 317 



few Beetles are of value as pollinators, but many species 

 are worse than valueless, for they destroy the essential 

 parts of flowers. 



We cannot spare space for a detailed account of 

 modifications of floral structure in adaptation to insect 

 visitors, and of a host of curious devices evolved to 

 ensure cross-fertilization, but we propose to take a 

 rapid glance at a few examples which will indicate the 

 remarkable ingenuity displayed in the silent flower 

 realm. 



The Meadow Crane's - Bill {Geranium pratense, 

 Plate LXI.) is one of the loveliest of our meadow plants. 

 Each flower-stalk bears two blue flowers about 1| inches 

 in diameter. The slender stalks, or pedicels, of the 

 flowers are clothed with downward-pointing hairs, which 

 prove to be a formidable obstacle to creeping insects on 

 piracy intent. They would fain make a back-door 

 entrance to the flower, and steal honey or pollen; the 

 hairs frustrate their nefarious designs. Looking into a 

 flower, we observe a tuft of hairs at the base of each 

 petal; this serves to protect the nectary from insects 

 which attempt to crawl over the petals, and get honey 

 without giving service, and it may also be useful in 

 preventing raindrops from diluting the nectar. Observe 

 the pistil; it comprises a five-celled ovary surmounted 

 by a stout style, and the style at its free end is divided 

 into five branches — i.e., stigmas. On the opening of 

 the flower the stigmas are not spread out, but are closed 

 together with their sensitive surfaces inwards, and the 

 ten stamens are laid back on the petals, radiating at 

 right angles to the style. In time five of the stamens 

 take an erect position and shed pollen, then fall back, 



