METHODS OF POLLINATION 



195 



about the middle of the boat-shaped labellum. In going out 

 it passes up and out at the end near the flower stalk. In doing 

 this it passes the stigma first and the anther last, rubbing against 

 both. The pollen caught on the head of the insect will not 

 touch the stigma of the same flower, but will be in position to 

 come in contact with the stigma of the next flower visited. 



311. Pollination of the Smyrna fig. Figs have been culti- 

 vated in parts of the Unted States for many years, in the Gulf 



Fig. 149. 



The fig. A, branch bearing a fig; B, section of fig showing flowers within; C, staminate 

 flower; D, pistillate flower. After Wossildo. 



and Atlantic States and in California. But the variety which 

 has been in successful cultivation during most of this period is 

 inferior to the imported figs. Consequently it could not come 

 into successful competition with the superior imported variety, 

 the Smyrna or Turkey figs. Nevertheless they have been 

 grown in considerable numbers for home use by the cultivators.* 

 Because of the inferior quality of the figs in cultivation here, a 



* This variety of the fig belongs to the same species as the Smyrna fig 

 (Ficus carica), but the flowers are modified and sterile (often called popu- 

 larly "mule" flowers and the fruit has taken on the habit of forming with- 

 out fertilization. This variety is also grown to some extent in Southern 

 Europe. 



