POLLEN 



297 



"The locust is a tree of extreme southern France. 

 Its fruit grows in pods similar to those of the pea, 

 but brown, very long, 

 and plump. This 

 fruit, in addition to 

 seeds, has a sugary 

 flesh. Supposing we 

 took a notion, if the 

 climate permitted, to 

 grow locust seeds in 

 our garden. What lo- 

 cust tree must we 

 plant? Evidently the 

 tree with pistils, be- 

 cause it alone pos- 

 sesses the ovaries 



Which become fruit. Flowering branch of Locust Tree 



But that is not enough. Planted by itself, the locust 

 tree with pistils will be able to blossom abundantly 

 every year, without ever producing any fruit; for 

 its flowers would fall without leaving a single ovary 

 on the branches. What is wanting? The action of 

 thr pollen. Close to the locust with pistils let us 

 plant one with stamens. Now fructification pro- 

 ceeds as we wish. Wind and insects carry the pol- 

 len from the stamens to the stigmas; the torpid 

 ovaries spring to life, and in time the locust pods 

 grow and ripen perfectly. With pollen, fruit ; with- 

 out pollen, no fruit. Are you convinced, Jules?" 



"Without doubt, Uncle; only, unfortunately, we 

 do not know the locust. I should prefer a plant of 

 our own region. M 



