
162 PLANTS GROWING IN RICH OR ROCKY SOIL, 
lobed. Stamens: ten; the anthers of each one held by a depression of the 
corolla. /¢sti/: one. Leaves: alternate ; elliptical ; entire; evergreen and 
shiny. Stem: ten to thirty feet high ; woody. 
All flowers are lovely, but the beauty of the laurel has placed 
it where it stands quite alone ; and by many lovers of flowers 
it is thought to be the most beautiful of those native to 
America. It is also endeared to us by its many virtues. It is 
very domestic, and has a strong love for its own home. — Its 
mind is blessed with a rare contentment. In fact, it will sel- 
dom endure transplanting ; unless care has been taken to pro- 
vide for it soil of the same quality as that of its chosen groves, 
The construction of the flower is on the plan of a wheel, and 
the stamens correspond to the spokes. Each filament is held 
and slightly arched by the anther, which is caught in a 
pouch of the corolla. The device of this little trap is most in- 
genious and the mechanism very fine. It is set for Master Bee 
and patiently awaits his coming. When he brushes against it, 
or jostles it the least little bit, the anthers become dislodged, 
spring up and let fly from their cells right in his face, or over 
his back, such a volley of pollen that the poor, old, drowsy 
thing is quite disconcerted. Thinking himself inhospitably re- 
ceived, he then betakes himself to the next flower, only to find 
that his back is made heavier by another cargo of pollen, while 
the protruding stigma is busy relieving him of his first load. 
The clamminess of the calyx and stems is undoubtedly to pre- 
vent such small insects as would be unable to carry the pollen 
for cross-fertilization, from climbing up into the flower and in- 
terfering with its arrangements. | 
Children that are in sympathy with the bees know of this 
trap, and will invariably knock the blossoms with their little fin- 
gers for the pure pleasure of seeing the anthers spring up and 
the pollen fly. As yet, the bees have not taught them the after 
labour of carrying the pollen. 
The leaves of the plant are unfortunately poisonous. A crys- 
talline substance that is readily dissolved out of them by cold 
water, is said to be more deadly than strychnine. Cattle and 

