156 THE HUMAN SIDE OF PLANTS 
keep canary birds! Or perhaps he is the green- 
uniformed guard who defends the marigold’s pollen 
stores from creeping insects! Certainly the plant 
does her duty as hostess in providing him with a 
dainty chamber and a choice supply of food in the 
form of tiny gnats and other insects which she 
lures to her yellow palace. 
This is one of the most unique of the many in- 
stances in which plants act as hostesses. One can 
understand, and commend, the wisdom of those 
plants which entertain for purposes of material 
gain, or for services rendered; but some plants are 
seemingly extravagant enough to give of their 
hospitality purely for the entertainment which the 
guest affords his hostess! 
