LECTURES. 27 
‘ FERTILIZATION OF FLOWERS,” 
BY J. R. WYNNE-EDWARDS, ESQ. 
HIS question is one of the most interesting opened 
out to us by Darwin’s researches into the Origin 
of Species. At the same time—owing to a few 
preliminary difficulties—it is comparatively little 
studied by those interested in general science. 
But it is one which offers special attractions to 
the amateur for this very reason ; the subject is 
still in its infancy, and a rich field for observation and experiment is 
open to every one of us. Some of the phenomena which I shall bring 
before you need further explanation, and many kindred ones are wait- 
ing for examination. 
Before entering upon our subject, there are one or two general 
facts of which I would remind you. You are all familiar with the out- 
lines of what has been called Darwinism,—the principle of Natural 
Selection. A great conflict is raging throughout nature. Many more 
individuals are born than can possibly survive. Every organism must 
work for its ovn good, and only those which are better fitted for the 
strife than their neighbours may live ; ¢.g., Mathematics tells us that a 
pair of robin redbreasts should produce a family of some 20 millions 
in ten years, and yet the whole number of British birds probably does 
not exceed this figure. Again, out of 350 seedlings that came up on a 
patch of ground, Mr. Darwin found that nearly 300 were eaten by 
slugs and insects. We shall have to explain our facts by this great 
principle. 
Again, let me remind you of the simpler botanical facts. Of the 
four concentric rings of which a perfect flower consists, the central 
pair, viz., the pistil, with its one or more styles and stigmas, and the 
stamens bearing little pouches or anthers filled with pollen, are neces- 
sary for reproduction. (The pollen dust falling on the stigma de- 
velopes a little tube which finds its way down to the ovary, and so 
forms the seed. ‘This union of pollen and stigma constitutes the pro- 
cess of fertilisation). The outer pair, viz., the corolla of petals and the 
calyx of sepals must serve other purposes into which we shall inquire. 
The insects which visit flor*rs do so tor one or both of two pur- 
