250 



THE HONEY-BEE. 



pollen into the space between them. At the lower 

 part of this inclosure the pistil is growing, but is not 

 in a condition to receive usefully the fertilising 

 powder. It, however, as it advances, sweeps out, 

 and carries up with it, the pollen-grains, so that they 

 may be conveyed to other florets of the same or 

 other blossoms, to effect their vitalising work. At 

 length the pistil, with its brush on its summit, comes 



Fig. 72. — Cineraria. (Magnified.) 



into view, but, even yet, is not sufficiently developed 

 for fertilisation. In due course, however, the upper 

 end splits, and exposes the surface of the stigma 

 ready for the pollen, which must be brought from 

 some other floret, and probably from some other 

 blossom. Thus cross-breeding is effectually secured. 



Another point for attaining this end is worthy of 

 remark. The outer ring of florets is distinguished 

 by long, coloured petals, which make up, in common 

 parlance, the flower of the cineraria. These serve 



