102 PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. 



pollen as it falls from the anthers above. There are 

 almost as many different ways in which the ovule is 

 fertilized as there are different plants. The stamens and 

 pistHSTlare also of different size and form, and in some 

 plants, as in the Conifers, Palms, etc., the pistils are 

 entirely wanting^ the pollen coming in direct contact 

 with the exposed ovule. But however variable the sexes 

 or form of the sexnal organs in the higher orders of 

 plants, their functions are very nearly identical, and in 

 performing the operation of artificial fertilization we pro- 

 ceed"!!! 'about the same manner with all, merely interfer- 



. 43. FLDWEK OP KALMIA LATIFOLIA, ENLARGED. 



ing with nature sufficiently to produce varying results. 

 if both male and female organs are present in the same 

 flower, we remove the former in order to prevent them 

 from performing the operation for which they were in- 

 tended by nature, and then introduce pollen from some 

 other. closely allied plant to "fertilize the ovules. But 

 whero the sexes are in separate flowers on the same plant 

 or on different plants, we have pjily to protect the female 

 organs against the visits of insects, or contact of pollen 

 transported by the wind, and then introduce that which 

 we desire should perform the act of fertilization. For 



