The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1903-08-07

LECTURES
Continued From Page ~

rough's beautiful words about the
st.
The nest of cedar bird was shown
as being exactly like mass of dark
lichens, and is invisible in the wood;
where lichsns are SO abundant.
The most uncommon Of kinglets is
the ruby-crowned kinglet. Nests
are rarely found. A nest was shown
which was collected in the region and
which was very difficult to find.
The lecture provoked an interest
ing discussion on the habits and in
telligence of birds which brought out
many interesting points in bird life
The second lecture Of THE week was
also the second delivered in the
large hotel dining room. for the pub
lie. 1t was given by Principal Maui
rice Kicker. of the Burlington. Iowa
high school. on the subject "Fertil
ization of Flowers and Insects.
The large dining room was filled
with an appreciative audience. The
stenOpticOn was used to illuminate
The drawings which accompanied the
lectures. and which were tackled to
the wall. covering one side Of the
room.
The speaker began with a brief eX-
PLANTATION of the fertilization of the
oak by wind. which is wind pollina-
ton. In every plant it is necessary
to deposit the pollen on the pistil,
not of the same plant. but of the
same species Of plant. When this is
accomplished by the wind it is wind
pollination. The large majority of
plants, however. are fortified by in
SectS.
A century or more ago Spren9al at
tempted to explain the method of
plant fertilization. His idea was that
the pollen fell upon the stigma. To
long styles and short stamens he in
trOduced insects as the carrier. but
did not suspect that insects would
carry pollen from one flower to an
other. 1t was Darwin who advanced
che idea of insect fertilization. which
idea now prevails.
Darwin's great work in the study
of plant fertilization was outlined
The action Of the bee in the trans
fer Of the pollen of fax was admira-
bly shown by several charts. The
next plant referred to was the sage
with its odd shape and peculiar sta
mems. This plant is peculiarly adap-
ted to insect fertilization. Reference
was made to a species of mimulus
growing near the laboratory. This
men5s in the process Of fertilization.
The observations on this species
made at the station are the first on
record regarding the action Of the
plant when being pollinated.
The blue flag shows some wonder
full adaptations to insect fertilization
and has received extensive notice by
botanists. Several pictures showed
this very plainly.
There is no one-sided business in
nature The plant gives something
to the insect in exchange for some
thing else. The insect receives honey,
the plant is pollinated. Plants offer
guides to insects, apparently to direct
them to the nectar. Plants have
favorites because it is very important
that the pollen should be carried with
out unnecessary loss. Thus a par
ticular species of insects may be the
only one no secure honey from a
plant. although hundreds may try it..
Several orchids We're discussed and
illustrations shown. Their many and
wonderful adaptations We're pointed
out ito the audience.
A large series Of water color draw
ings was presented for illustration
of the lecture highly appreciated by
the audience.
The week has been very profita-
bic one 10 the people at the station.
The collectors have been active in
gathering material. and frogs. snails,
insects and plants have been taken
in abundance A number of those at
tending are teachers in the schools
of the state. and the material col
lected is preserved by them for use
in their work the coming winter.
The station is thus eXerting direct
influence on the school work of the
state which cannot fail to be Of great
benefit.
Plans had been laid for ascent of
MacDougal mountain on Saturday,
jbu; rains prevented, and the ascent
was postponed a few days for clear
ing weather. A party of some Is
was prepared for the ascent, and they
were much disappointed at not being
able to make it on the day for which
ascent was planned.