THE STIGMATIC SURFACE 



OF A POPPY MUCH 



ENLARGED 



The stigma of the flower may be 

 variously modified to facilitate recep- 

 tion of the pollen. This picture shows 

 the curious arrangement in the case of 

 a poppy. The pollen grains deposited 

 on this stigmatic surface send out little 

 tubes that penetrate the stigma and 

 ultimately make their way to the ovule 

 or seed case, carrying the nucleus that 

 unites with the nucleus of the egg cell, 

 thus effecting fertilization. Each egg 

 cell is fertilized by a single pollen 

 nucleus. 



