CATKINS 



the catkins will be seen to be composed of 

 numerous scales which stand out horizontal!)^ from 

 the central axis. Each of these scales covers eight 

 tiny stamens which produce the yellow fertilising 

 dust that falls so readily from the blossoms. It 

 should be observed that the scales are arranged 

 in spiral fashion about the pendent stalk ; the 

 average number of scales on each catkin is about 

 160, so that each catkin bears about this number 

 of little flowers ; for each scale with its eight 

 stamens is a flower. The catkin is, therefore, a 

 little pendent spike of flowers ; and these flowers 

 are all male flowers, for they consist of stamens 

 covered with a protective scale. In such flowers 

 as poppies and hlies both stamens and ovar}^ 

 are found together with coloured petals in one 

 flower, which make such flowers both male and 

 female, but here we have an altogether different 

 arrangement, for these catkins conduct their floral 

 diplomacy on principles quite unhke those adopted 

 by flowers that woo insects with attractive colours 

 and sweet nectar. 



It is obvious that these catkins of male flowers 

 can never produce seeds like those of the lily or 

 poppy, for they have no ovary ; and, as I have 

 previously stated, they drop from the trees after 

 the stamens have shed their pollen. We have, 

 therefore, to search elsewhere for the female 

 flowers, i.e., the flowers that eventually become 

 hedge-nuts. 



Glancing along the branches that bear the 

 catkins, you will find here and there a bud with 

 E 49 



