porj.is'.iriox 183 



a |)re\i(nis cha|)tcr, called aiicinf)|)hilous (auoiios, 

 wind, and p/ii/os, l()\inL,s. 1 hc\' arc iisuall)' of 

 small si/c and inconspicuous character, with \er\- 

 little or no scent, and devoid of colour ; these are 

 characteristics that are not always associated in the 

 same species ; thus in the ha/.el, w hich is a u ind- 

 pollinated flow er, we find a bright )'ellow catkin fso 

 well known to children as lambs' tails; and a small 

 but briL;ht red pistil. 



Let us notice, howe\er, how wonderfuU)* these 

 plants are adapted for this method of pollination ; 

 the stamens are usuall\- hanijini^, and the pollen, 

 produced in i^reat quantities, is easil\- set free b}' 

 the slii^htest breath of wind. The stit^ma of the 

 hazel, of different L(rasses and of sedi:jes are bcjth 

 forked and |)lumcd, so that pollen i^rains floatint;' in 

 the air are readil)- intercepted. 



The firs and pines are excellent examples of 

 wind-pollinated trees. I remember once possessing 

 a ripe male cone of the Arnncan'a imbricata, and 

 ascertainin;^ that it contained as much as a wine- 

 glassful of [)ollen. Speaking about this fact to the 

 gardener at the I'inetum at Dro[)more, I was 

 show II how this fertilisin!"- dust from the i/reat 



