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PLATE V— MARTAGON LILY (Lilium Martagon) and CROWN IMPERIAL (Fritillaria imperialis). 



(Figs. 1, 8, and 9, after Dodel-Port). 



The flowers hitherto considered have all been rather sombre in their tints. In the case of the Coniferae there were no brilliant or 

 gaudy colours, but the flowers were hidden, as it were, out of sight with a covering of scales. The Grasses and Sedges, too, had their 

 minute flowers of a greenish or brownish tint, and everything betokened business, but no attempt at decoration. 



But when we come to Lilies and such like, the beauty of their flowers form the most striking feature, often with further attractions 

 in the shape of perfume and honey. This change from grave to gay, to sweetness and scent, has probably reference to the visits of 

 insects; and now, instead of the pollen being scattered by the wind with extravagant wastefulness, a more economical method has been 

 found in the agency of insects. Insects are attracted first of all by the colour and scent, then honey is provided, so that in obtaining 

 it they may carry the pollen of one flower to the stigma of another, and thus unconsciously, while pursuing their own selfish ends, effect 

 cross-fertilisation, which enables the plant to produce a stronger and healthier progeny than otherwise 



The Nectary consists of a tissue, formed of small, thin-walled cells, from which sweet juices exude and keep it constantly moist. 

 They are generally placed in the recesses of the flower, and in the present instance occupy the base of the perianth-leaves. 



The Martagon Lily is an instance of a regular Monocotyledon flower adapted for cross-fertiiisation by insects, although in the 

 absence of insects it may be self-fertilised. 



Fig. 1. Flower of Martagon Lily fully developed. 



The flower in the bud condition has its various parts arranged, as in Fritillaria (Fig. 2). The coloured leaves 

 are directed downwards, enclosing the straight stamens and style; but as the flower expands these different parts 

 diverge, until finally the coloured leaves curl upwards and meet around the stalk ; the stamens spread out like a 

 fan, and the style curves in the direction of most light. The nectaries, at the base of the coloured leaves, secrete 

 drops of honey, and the anthers open to discharge their pollea If, now, an insect visits the flower, alighting on the 

 spread-out stamens, as a convenient resting-place, while sipping the honey with its long proboscis, it will carry away 

 pollen on various parts of its body, and likely leave some of it on the stigma of the next flower it visits. 

 Figs. 2 and 3. Fritillaria has been halved lengthwise in its natural pendent position, and the six nectaries are seen at the base 



of the perianth-leaves in Fig. 3. 

 Diagram I. — Plan of Flower, representing typical Monocotyledon. 

 Calyx or outer whorl of three free Sepals. 



Corolla or inner whorl of three free Petals, alternating with the Sepals. 

 When the parts of the Calyx and Corolla are similar in size, shape, and colour, it is usual to call them collectively the Perianth. 

 The Nectaries are at the base of each perianth-leaf. 



Andrcecium of two whorls of three Stamens each. 

 Gyncecium of three united Carpels. 

 Figs. 4 and 5. The Foliage-leaves get smaller on ascending the stem, till you pass by regular gradations into the bracts at the 

 base of the flower-stalks. 



Fig. 6. Stamen. 



The Anther appears at first to be quite in line with the Filament, but as the stamen curves outwards, the 

 anther comes to swing on the very top of the filament, so as readily to discharge its contents (as in Fig. 1). 

 Figs. 7 and 8. Each Anther-lobe consists of two pollen-sacs, and opens by a longitudinal slit down the side. 

 Fig. 9. The Pollen-grain of Martagon Lily is a striking example of beauty and utility combined It is beautifully netted on 

 the outer surface, and each mesh of the net usually contains a globule of oil. This oil is to keep it moist until it 

 reaches the stigma with its secretion, and the netted arrangement distributes the oil more evenly and generally over 

 the surface. 



