306 PLANT-LIFE 



it with prodigal recklessness. It has been stated that 

 a single blossom may produce pollen sufficient to fertilize 

 more than 1,000 ovaries. This prodigality is evidently 

 due to the requirements of the case. Were only a few 

 pollen grains to be liberated, there would be little chance 

 of any of them reaching the stigmas. As it is, out of 

 the vast quantity of pollen that is liberated, very little 

 gets the opportunity of serving its appointed purpose. 

 The bulk of it is wasted. It is apparent that anemo- 

 p hilly involves a wasteful extravagance in the matter of 

 pollen. 



In adaptation to the means of pollination, the pollen 

 of anemophilous plants is dusty, each grain being 

 smooth and dry on its surface. This being so, the 

 grains do not stick together in masses when they are 

 liberated, but they readily separate, so that they may 

 float singly in the air. Being very light, they do not 

 easily come to earth. In some Conifers the pollen 

 grains are furnished with hollow air sacs, which pro- 

 trude like wings, and ensure the grains remaining afloat 

 in the air for a long period. It is worthy of remark 

 that the needle-like foliage of Conifers does not present 

 the same obstacle to effectual pollination that the 

 leaves of the Hazel or Elm would be were they developed 

 fully at the time of flowering. Besides, it seems that in 

 the Conifers the pollen is shed in warm, dry weather, 

 and is actually drawn upwards by ascending currents of 

 air. The value of this movement is fully appreciated 

 when we observe that in the Firs (Abies and Picea) the 

 male flowers occur on the lower branches, while the 

 females are borne either at the summit, or quite high up. 

 It is obvious that in these instances the liberation of 



