STAMEN'S ASD PISTILS. 319 



IMost geiiemlly the access of the pollen is 

 not trusted to any accidental modes of con- 

 vej-ance, however numerous, elaborate, and^ 

 if we may so express it, ingenious, such modes 

 may be; but the Stamens are for o-reater 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 

 with the trees of hot countries, whose leaves 

 being always present might impede the pas- 

 sage of the pollen. On the contrary, the 

 trees of 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 httle in the way, and pollen so ex- 

 ccssivel}^ abundant, that impregnation can 

 scarcely fail. 



The pollen and the stiirma are always in 

 perfection at the same time, the latter con;i- 

 monly withering and falling off a little after 

 the anthers, though the style may remain 

 to become an useful appendage to the fruit. 



