Wild Flowers as They Grow 



to so many markings and so much colouring that 

 had hitherto been considered as entirely purpose- 

 less. His book, pointing out that the marking and 

 colouring of flowers were intended as lures and 

 guides to insects seeking for honey, was published 

 in 1791. 



Just below the ridge the stamens are fixed inside 

 the corolla tube ; they are very small, and having 

 scarcely any filaments to support the anthers, they 

 are said to be " sessile " — that is, sitting upon the 

 tube. Below them, again, hairs form a lining. In 

 the centre of the flower is a very tiny ovary divided 

 into four parts, down between which the column 

 from the ovary springs and reaches up as high as 

 the stamens. Honey is not hidden in the yellow 

 ridge as is often believed, but is f oimd at the bottom 

 of the tube round the base of the ovary, and is 

 sheltered by the overarching wall above. 



Now, an insect arrives and hovers over the 



flower. The bright centre marks the spot where it 



must probe the flower ; its tongue, kept closely in 



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