STAMENS AND PISTILS. 243 



all her energies are exerted to secure the future pro- 

 geny, even at the hazard of the parent stock, and to 

 send them abroad to colonise more favourable situa- 

 tions. 



Most generally the access of the pollen is not trusted 

 to any accidental modes of conveyance, however nu- 

 merous, elaborate, and, if we may so express it, in- 

 genious, such modes may be; but the Stamens are for 

 greater security lodged in the same tlower, under the 

 protection of the sam.e silken veils, or of more sub- 

 stantial guards, which shelter their appropriate 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 passage 

 of the pollen. On the contrary, the trees of cold 

 climates have generally separated 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 insects, or, 

 like the numerous kinds of Fir, have leaves so little 

 in the way, and pollen so excessively abundant, that 

 impregnation can scarcely fail. 



The pollen and the stigma are always in perfection 

 at the same time, the latter commonly withering and 

 falling off a litde after the anthers, though the style 

 may remain, to become an useful appendage to the 

 fruit. The Viola tricolor or Pansy, the Gratiola^ the 

 Martyjiia, and many plants besides, have been ob- 

 served to be furnished with a stigma gaping only at 



11 i2 



