114 SOUTH AFRICAN FLOWERING PLANTS, 



the five curling stigmas spread themselves out, ready 

 for the pollen to be brought to them. 



In some flowers, usually small ones and not attrac- 

 tive, the stigmas mature before the anthers. Such are 

 called protogynous, i.e. *' female first." 



When the fruit is ripe, it has a long beak as in the 

 other genera, but each style has sometimes a row of 

 silky hairs upon it where the carpels separate. This 

 possibly enables it to fly to a distance, but it has 

 another use. It will be noticed how each carpel has 

 its style curled up like a corkscrew. The same feature 

 is seen in Er odium. The seed does not fall out of the 

 ovary, as this does not open, but it is provided with a 

 sharp point below, and is covered with short hairs 

 pointing upwards. 



Now, when a carpel falls and finds moisture, the 

 screw absorbs the moisture and uncoils, while the long 

 hairs on the style with the short ones on the ovary 

 catch among grass, etc., and so enable the fruit to gain 

 a support, or " purchase," while the screw by uncoiling 

 buries the fruit in the soil. The " awn " of the oat 

 behaves much in the same way. 



There is another plant of the same family as Oxalis, 

 Gera'nitcm, and Pclargo'nium, known as the Balsam. 

 There are one or two kinds in the Eastern district and 

 Natal, but several sorts are cultivated. The pod looks 

 just like that of Ox'alis, but when ripe the slightest 

 touch causes it to explode ; for the " valves " curl up 



