FERTILIZATION OF THE FLOWERS. 



37 



"We say flowers are proliferous when either 

 the glumes, palea, stamens or ovary, or all of 

 these develop into small leaves in place of 

 flowers. This is not uncommon in Indian 

 corn and J uncus. The bulblets of onions or 

 *' onion sets'' are familiar examples. 



In this connection a reference to figure 53 

 will show several forms of ovaries and styles, 

 and impress the reader with the importance flo^a? ghmre^ot'p/ifewm 



„ .. ., .. iTTi pratense (Timothy), witli 



of examining these minute and delicate a portion representing 



the sheath and a portion 



organs for generic and specific characters. ,. representing the blade of 

 o ° ••^ a leat, slightly enlarged. 



— (Sudworth). 



Fig. 53.-7, Pistil of Mihnrn minima; 2, Pistil of Arrhenatherum avenaccum; 3, Pistil 

 of Olucf.ria aquatic a ; 4, Pistil of Mdica uniHora ; 6, Pistil of Brnm'm mollis; 6, 

 Pistil of Alopecunts pratenms, meadow fox tail: 7, Pistil of Nardim stricta. All 

 magnified.— (From Agrostographia synopttca by ivunth). 



Fertilization of the Flowers. — When the flowers arrive at 

 a certain stage of growth, the stigmas are ready to receive the 

 pollen, which sends a miniature thread down the style to the 

 ovule. The pollen of grasses is in the form of round, smooth 

 cells, and escapes readily. The flowers of grasses, except where 



