PROTECTIOX OF THE POLLEN". ~ 257 



i have already mentioned that any moisture causes the 

 pollen to explode, consequently its purpose is liable to 

 be frustrated by rain or heavy dews. Linnaeus observes 

 that husbandmen find their crops of rye to suffer more 

 from this cause than barley, because in the latter the an- 

 thers are more protected by the husks ; and the Juni- 

 per berries are sparingly, or not at all, produced in Sue- 

 den when the flowering season has been wet. The 

 same great observer also remarks, what yearly experi- 

 ence confirms, that Cherry-trees are more certainly fruit- 

 ful than Pear-treeSj because in the former the opening 

 of the anthers is, in each blossom, much more progres- 

 sive, so that a longer period elapses for the accomplish- 

 ment of the fertilization of the germen, and there is con- 

 sequently less chance of its being hindered by a few 

 showers. 



To guard against the hurtful influence of nocturnal 

 dew^s or drenching rains, most flowers either fold their 

 petals together, or hang down their heads, when the sun 

 does not shine ; by which, their internal organs are 

 sheltered. In some which always droop, as the Snow- 

 drops Galanthus and Leucojum^ EngL Bot. t, \9 and 

 621, the Fritillary, t. 622, the Crown Imperial, various 

 species of Campanula, and others, while the over-shad- 

 owing corolla keeps off rain, the air has free access un- 

 derneath to blow the pollen to the stigma. Nor is this 

 drooping caused by the weight of the flowers, for the 

 fruit in most of them is much heavier, and yet stands 

 erect on the very same stalk. The papilionaceous flow= 



ers in general spread their wings in fine weather, admit- 

 II 



