Dogbane and Milkweed 315 
same stalk will support only from two to six seed- 
pods, and a pair of pods represents a single flower. 
So most of the flowers die leaving no memorial 
behind them, and the flies which they have vic- 
timized are avenged. 
In the language of some elegiac poetry we 
pause to breathe a sigh over the fate of the hap- 
less flies which, like Haman of old, come to a 
feast and thereat are captured and slain. 
However, these unfortunates are but a small pro- 
portion of the milk- 
weed’s” fly visitors. 
The great majority 
make off, after taking 
their fill of nectar, 
without carrying away 
any portion of the 
pollen which the flower 
is endeavoring to send 
to its neighbors. This 
waste of nectar is 
bad for the milkweed, 
which would be bet- 
ter off with fewer fly 
Pye Fic. 88.—A dogbane flower and 
visitors. So the flower its ea ntive. 
would profit by any device which would dis- 
