STAMENS AND PISTILS. . 319 



Most generally the access of the pollen is 

 not trusted to any accidental modes of con- 

 veyance, however numerous, elaborate, and, 

 if we may so express it, ingenious, such modes 

 may be; but the Stamens are for greater se- 

 curity lodged in the same flower, under the 

 protection of the same silken veils, or more 

 substantial guards, which shelter their ap- 

 propriate pistils. This is the case with the 

 majority of our herbs and shrubs, and even 

 tyith the trees of hot countries, v/hose leaves 

 being always present might impede the pas- 

 sage of the pollen. On the contrary, the 

 trees cf cold climates have generally sepa- 

 rated flowers, blossoming before the leaves 

 come forth, and in a windy season of the 

 year ; while those which blossom later, as the 

 Oak, are either peculiarly frequented by in- 

 sects, or, like the numerous kinds of Fir, have 

 leaves so little in the way, and pollen so ex- 

 cessively abundant, that impregnation can 

 scarcely fail. 



The pollen and the stigma are always in 

 perfection at the same time, the latter com- 

 monly withering and falling off a little after 

 the anthers, though the style may remain 

 to become an useful appendage to the fruit 



