LIFE HISTORIES OF FAMILIAR PLANTS 



fine filaments and shaking out into the atmosphere 

 some of their pollen, while every stronger breeze 

 vibrates the slender branches more vigorously and 

 shakes out the anthers and pollen more effect- 

 ively. 



A single glance at the structure and details of 

 the inflorescence will show how perfect is the 

 whole arrangement. In oats and other grasses we 

 find similar loose panicles of spikelets, likewise 

 adapted for wind-fertilisation, but it seems to me 

 that the familiar quake-grass conies first in the 

 adaptation of its structure for wind-polhnation. 

 Its minute, well-protected flowers are so obviously 

 suspended in space, on branches so delicate that 

 even when growing closely they can scarcely 

 intercept the course of the pollen through the air, 

 while on the other hand the structure offers every 

 facility for pollen dispersal through its extreme 

 susceptibility to vibration. 



Having observed the meaning and purpose ot 

 the inflorescence, we may now ask what proof 

 there is for saying that these suspended spikelets 

 are in reality degenerate lilies ? 



I have previously mentioned that the typical 

 lily consists of three sepals (frequently coloured 

 like the petals) ; three petals ; six stamens in two 

 whorls of three each ; and a pistil or ovary of 

 three cells. Now in the grasses the flowers have 

 become so crowded together that many of the 

 separate parts of these whorls have either united 

 or entirely disappeared. Thus the calyx is usually 

 represented by two dry scales, termed pales, and 



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