122 



ELEMENTS OF BIOLOGY. 



spicuous stem or "filament." When mature, the anther is 

 found to be filled with microscopic cellular bodies or " pol- 

 len-grains" (fig. 35, C), which constitute a fine powder, and 

 which are truly the male element of reproduction. The 

 pollen-grains, in turn, are filled with an extremely fine 

 molecular matter which is termed the " fo villa." The par- 

 ticles of the fovilla exhibit more or less active movements, 

 the exact nature of which has not yet been accurately deter- 

 mined ; and it is probable that they are the essential gener- 

 ative elements by which the influence of the male is trans- 

 mitted to the female. 



The female organs of Angiospermous Flowering Plants 

 constitute the " pistil " (fig. 36, A) ; and consist in their 



C 



Fig. 36. A, Pistil of the Apricot. B, Pistil of the Orange. C, Flower of Valerian, 

 cut vertically, a Ovary, containing the ovule or ovules ; b Style ; c Stigma ; 

 d Stamen. 



simplest and most fundamental form of a folded leaf or 

 "ovary" (a), containing one or more germ-cells or ovules. 

 The summit of the pistil is formed of loose cells, which are 

 uncovered by epidermis, and secrete a viscid fluid, the 

 whole constituting what is known as the " stigma " (c). The 



