214 



STUDIES IN THE POLLINATION ON INDIAN CROPS 



which at this period is not receptive. The anthers begin to burst longitudinally 

 after 4 a.m. and commence to libirate their pollen. At this time the two hairy 

 lobss of the bifid stigma often b^gin to separate and become receptive. The 

 position of the anthers and stigma at this period is as follows. The fork of the 

 bifid stigma and the centre of the anthers of the two long stslmens are at the 



Fig. 3. A flowering branch of Sesamum indicum, 



same level while the anthers of the two short stamens are at a lower level. 

 Like other members of the order to which til belongs, the stigmas are irritable 

 and the two lobes separate when touched. This causes one of the lobes of 

 the stigma to move dowTi between the two burst anthers of the long stamens. 



