174 THE HUMAN SIDE OF PLANTS 



It was long ago proved that close interbreeding 

 produces degenerates in the plant kingdom. There 

 are very few instances among high-class plants 

 where perfect seeds have been produced without 

 the ovules having been fertilised in the regular way: 

 that is, by the transference of pollen from the male 

 to the female flower. 



Among such plants as begonias, cucumbers, 

 gourds, squashes, there are many flowers that are 

 distinctly either male or female. If for any reason 

 the proper insects do not exist in the territory 

 where such flowers are to be raised, the flowers 

 may be fertilised by carrying pollen dust from the 

 male to the female by means of a feather or a 

 dainty brush. But it is far more interesting to see 

 the bees and butterflies happy in their work of dis- 

 tributing pollen from flower to flower, yellow with 

 the precious dust on their backs and heads! 



Plants have various schemes for securing a cross- 

 fertilisation of their flowers. Some use the wind 

 as an agent, others employ bees, butterflies, moths, 

 snails, or even birds. Bird-pollination is a common 

 occurrence in Brazil, where the profusely growing 

 abutilon is fertilised by humming-birds. The 

 Brugmansia and other flowers are fertilised in the 

 same way. 



Flowers use their marvellous beauty, perfume, 



