



Chap.L primula veris. 17 



flower, seven of the long-styled had expanded their 

 flowers. 



We shall, also, presently see that the short-styled 

 plants produce more seed than the long-styled. It is 

 remarkable, according to Professor Oliver,* that the 

 ovules in the unexpanded and unimpregnated flowers of 

 the latter are considerably larger than those of the short- 

 styled flowers; and this I suppose is connected with the 

 long-styled flowers . producing fewer seeds, so that the 

 ovules have more space and nourishment for rapid de- 

 velopment. 



To sum up the difference: — The long-styled plants 

 have a much longer pistil, with a globular and much 

 rougher stigma, standing high above the anthers. The 

 stamens are short; the grains of pollen smaller and ob- 

 long in shape. The upper half of the tube of the 

 corolla is more expanded. The number of seeds pro- 

 duced is smaller and the ovules larger. The plants 

 tend to flower first. 



The short-styled plants have a short pistil, half the 

 length of the tube of the corolla, with a smooth de- 

 pressed stigma standing beneath the anthers. The sta- 

 mens are long; the grains of pollen are spherical and 

 larger. The tube of the corolla is of uniform diameter 

 except close to the upper end. The number of seeds 

 produced is larger. 



I have examined a large number of flowers; and 

 though the shape of the stigma and the length of the 

 pistil both vary, especially in the short-styled form, I 

 have never met with any transitional states between 

 the two forms in plants growing in a state of nature. 

 There is never the slightest doubt under which form a 

 plant ought to be classed. The two kinds of flowers are 



* 'Nat. Hist. Review,' July, 1862, p. 237. 



