134 H AV. KING ON THE PHYSIOLOGY OF MONSTERA DELICIOSA. 



the former being traversed by spiral vessels passing through 

 the hilum to the upper extremity o£ the ovule. The aperture 

 of the foramen passes, narrowing upwards, to the nucleus, 

 the latter consisting of an aggregation of nearly spherical 

 cells of a larger size than the cells composing the primine and 

 secundine. 



In the younger ovules I have examined, the nucleus or germ 

 is buried higher in the ovule, but in the more advanced growth 

 it descends to the foramen, through which in the mature forms 

 it protrudes beyond, and in some instances the secundine coat 

 is also exposed beyond the exostome of the primine. This action 

 in the plant is of great importance in securing the fertilization 

 of the germ by the pollen thread, for if the germ were not thus 

 exposed in the ovaries the possibility of their impregnation 

 appears to be very remote. 



The pollen is probably brought from the anther of one plant 

 to the stigma of another by the agencies of insects, which are 

 attracted by the honey and the colour of the spathe. They 

 would first alight upon the spadix to collect the honey exuding 

 from each pistil, and in passing downwards would leave behind 

 upon the stigmas the pollen that had adhered to them while 

 collecting at another flower. Many may collect the large 

 quantity of pollen developed to form the so-called bee-bread, 

 and also in so doing would readily bring about the fertilization 

 so necessary for the favourable perpetuation of the species. 



The ovule being fertilized, the honey secreted on the stigma 

 hardens to a horny consistency, preventing at the same time the 

 ingress of insects to the ovary, and the evaporation of moisture 

 from it. The fertilized germ, protected as in a sealed chamber, 

 develops to a seed, nourished by the secretion of the fruit sur- 

 rounding it, until matured, when the secretion ceases, the 

 cellular structure gradually dries and cracks, and the seed hangs 

 ready for wind or bird to carry it to a suitable germinating 

 spot, where it may continue the development originated in the 

 ovule, to the perfected life of the plant. The emanations of 

 that growing life throb out intangible as a wave of light. We 

 feel the presence of that life and the swell of the beautiful 

 that dwells there. 



