The Meadow Buttercup 



since only the upper surface of the petals has it. 

 "The glaze of the Buttercup," says one, "is of 

 kindred character with the song of the lark that 

 rises from the dewy field beside it into the blue 

 air. . . . They are both the outcome of the 

 spirit of love that pervades all Nature. They both 

 appeared at first to give Adam and Eve a bridal 

 welcome. They are both the sign of the great 

 marriage festivity of Nature." And the golden 

 shimmer seems specially to attract shimmering 

 insects, for iridescent flies and beetles are chief 

 visitors, though, to be sure, hive bees do not disdain 

 Buttercup honey upon occasions. 



The manner in which the Buttercup flower 

 arranges its internal affairs is as follows : when 

 the bud opens and the petals spread to form their 

 cup, only the outermost rings of stamens are mature'; 

 these bend somewhat outwards, and they open their 

 pollen boxes also on the outside. All the inner parts 

 of the flower, both stamens and stigmas, are as yet 



unready to act. Any insect coming now to tap the 



53 



