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136
My Studio Neighbors
·
W. Hamilton Gibson
67
He
has
now
reached
the
top
of
the
cluster
among
the
younger
blossoms.
He
creeps
up
the
outstretched
platform
of
the
flower,
and
has
barely
thrust
his
head
within
its
tube
when
down
comes
the
pair
of
clappers
on
his
back
(C).
Presently
he
backs
out,
bearing
a
generous
dab
of
yellow
pollen,
which
is
further
increased
from
each
subsequent
flower.
He
has
now
finished
this
cluster,
and
flies
to
the
next,
alighting
as
usual
on
the
lowermost
tier
of
bloom.
In
them
the
elongated
stigma
now
hangs
directly
in
his
path,
and
comes
in
contact
with
the
pollen
on
his
back
as
the
insect
sips
the
nectar.
Cross-fertilization
is
thus
insured;
and,
moreover,
cross-fertilization
not
only
from
a
distinct
flower,
but
from
a
separate
cluster,
or
even
a
separate
plant.
For
in
these
older
stigmatic
flowers
the
anther
as
it
comes
down
upon
his
back
is
seen
to
be
withered,
having
shed
its
pollen
several
days
since,
the
supply
of
pollen
on
the
bee's
body
being
sufficient
to
fertilize
all
the
stigmas
in
the
cluster,
until
a
new
supply
is
obtained
from
the
pollen-bearing
blossoms
above.
And
thus
he
continues
his
rounds.
The
sage
is
a
representative
of
the
large
botanical
order
known
as
the
Mint
family,
the
labiates,
or
gaping
two-lipped
flowers,
the
arched
hood
here
answering
to
the
upper
lip,
the
spreading
base
forming
the
lower
lip,
which
is
usually
designed
as
a
convenient
threshold
for
the
insects
while
sipping
the
nectar
deep
within
the
tube.
This
mechanism
of
the
sage
is
but
one
of
many
curious
and
various
contrivances
in
the
Mint
family,
all
designed
for
the
same
end,
the
intercrossing
of
the
flowers.
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