222 THE FAIRY-LAND OF SCIENCE. 
to another flower. At last these five also fall down 
and then, and not till then, the stigma opens and lays 
out its five sticky points, as you may see in the right- 
hand flower, Fig. 58. 
But its own pollen is all gone, how then will it get 
any ? It will get it from some bee who has just taken it 
from another and younger flower ; and thus you see the 
blossom is prevented from using its own pollen, and 
made to use that of another blossom, so that its seeds 
may grow healthy and strong. 
The garden nasturtium, into whose blossom we saw 
the humble-bee poking his head, takes still more care 
of its pollen-dust. It hides its honey down at the end 
of its long spur, and only sends out one stamen at a 
time instead of five like the geranium ; and then, 
when all the stamens have had their turn, the 
sticky knob comes out last for pollen from another 
flower. 
All this you may see for yourselves if you find 
geraniums* in the hedges, and nasturtiums in your 
garden. But even if you have not these, you may 
learn the history of another flower quite as curious, 
and which you can find in any field or lane even near 
London. The common dead-nettle (Fig. 59) takes a 
great deal of trouble in order that the bee may carry 
off its pollen. When you have found one of these 
plants, take a flower from the ring all round the stalk 
and tear it gently open, so that you can see down 
its throat. There, just at the very bottom, you will 
* The scarlet and other bright geraniums of our flower-gardens are 
not true geraniums, but pelargoniums. You may, however, watch all 
these peculiarities in them if you cannot procure the true wild geranium. 
