160 PLANTAIN. [CH. XII 



does not, as far as fertilisation is concerned, differ from a 

 flower devoid of stamens. If it is fertilised the pollen 



PBOTOOYNOUS FLOWER OF PLANTAGO LANCE OLATA. 



Fig. T, in the younger stage with the style S projecting. Fig. 0, in 



the older stage with full-grown stamens (A) and withered style (S). 

 From Mliller's Fertilisation of Flowers. 



must come from another flower; it may of course be 

 pollinated by a flower on the same inflorescence with 

 itself, but at any rate its chance of cross-fertilisation is 

 increased, since the pollen may come from another plant. 

 As the flower gets older the stigma withers, it no longer 

 has the fresh velvety look of a receptive stigma (i.e. one 

 capable of pollination), and it does in fact cease to 

 function. But the flower as a whole has not ceased to 

 function, for as the stigma withers the stamens develope 

 and the older stage, shown in fig. 720, comes on, in which 

 it produces pollen, not for its own fertilisation, but for 



