166 MYSTERIES OF THE FLOWERS 



with two anther sacs on their lower sides. On their 

 upper sides are often hollows, or depressions, to 

 catch the pollen and to give it to the wind uni- 

 formly. The pollen grains of the pine, as they 

 ripen, develop little wings shown in the drawing 

 which help to sustain them on the long and hazar- 

 dous flight. Most of them come to grief on the voy- 

 age; only an infinitesimal proportion reach port. 



(d) 



PINE CONE 

 (a) Pistillate Form; (b) Ovule; (c) Scale with Seed; (d) Seed 



They remind me of rays of a wireless message 

 shot into the air and scattering in space in every 

 direction, only one small impulse reaching the re- 

 ceiving antenna? and carrying the desired message. 

 The receiving station, or pistillate cone, stands 

 erect, its scales open, forming numerous cavities in 



