14 



ON FLOWERS AND INSECTS. 



[lect. 



branches of the stigma are elongated, an"d twine them- 

 selves (Fig. 12) among the stamens, so that the flower 

 readily fertilizes itself. 



Fig. 9. — Malva sylvestris. 



Fig. 10. — Malva rotundifolia. 



Another interesting case is afforded by the genus 

 Epilobium. Epilobium angustifolium has large purplish 

 flowers in conspicuous heads (Fig. 13), and is much 

 frequented by insects ; while E. parvijlorum (Fig. 14) 



Fig. 11. — Stamens and stigmas of Fig. 12. — Ditto of Malva rotundifolia. 

 Malva sylvestris. 



has small solitary flowers and is seldom visited by 

 insects. Now in the former species their visits are 

 necessary, because the stamens ripen and shed their 

 pollen before tbe pistil, so that the flower is con- 



