310 Field, Forest, and Wayside Flowers 
of peculiar form (Fig. 87). Each nectary is 
hooded, and inside each is an incurved horn (Fig. 
87, 8). Within the circle of honey-jars are the 
five stamens, which are fixed to the base of the 
corolla, and stand in contact with each other, sur- 
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Fic. PT rap of the milkweed 
a, single blossom seen from the side, showing the coroJla turned backward and 
the ring of upright nectaries; 4, single blossom seen from above; c, the 
stamen ring, showing one of the openings between the stamens, and the disk at 
its upper end; d, a freshly removed disk, with its attached pollen masses; 
e and re positions taken by the drying pollen masses as they are carried 
through the air by insects. 
rounding and enclosing the pistil (Fig. 87, ¢). On 
top of the ring of stamens is a large five-sided 
disk, which keeps the pollen from being wet with 
rain or dew. The whole stamen system is like a 
little tub or firkin, standing in the midst of the 
