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THE BEAUTIES OF NATURE 



flower (Fig. 6) consists of a narrow tube, some- 

 what expanded at the upper end (Fig. 7), 

 where the lower lobe forms a platform, on 



each side of which is a 

 small projecting tooth 

 (Fig. 8, m). The upper 

 portion of the corolla 

 is an arched hood {co), 

 under which lie four 

 anthers (a a), in pairs, 

 while between them, 

 and projecting some- 

 what downwards, is 

 the pointed pistil (si) ; 

 the tube at the lower 

 part contains honey, 

 and above the honey 

 is a row of hairs running round the tube. 



Now, why has the flower this peculiar 

 form ? What regulates the length of 

 the tube ? What is the use of the arch ? 

 What lesson do the little teeth teach 

 us ? What advantage is the honey to the 

 flower ? Of what use is the fringe of hairs ? 

 Why does the stigma project beyond the 



Fig. 6. — White Dead-nettle. 



