446 STERILITY. 



the sarcocarp withers. This is especially the case 

 in stone fruits, as is well known to every cultivator, 

 whose fruits so frequently drop just when they are 

 undergoing the process of stoning. Meyer studied 

 this subject as regards forced cherries. From a very 

 early stage of growth he could predict, from a change 

 in the external form, and sometimes from a peculiar 

 intensity of color, what fruit would ultimately prove 

 abortive. But the shrivelling of the embryo takes 

 place previous to the peculiar elongation of the 

 fruit {Berkeley). 



The prevalence of rainij or cloudy weather at the 

 time of flowering may prevent the style, or female 

 element, from receiving the pollen. The anthers 

 require dry weather in which to burst open, or 

 dehisce, and throw forth their pollen. If this 

 weather does not occur at the proper time, the style 

 may fade, and its sensibility to the process of fecun- 

 dation cease. Or, if the pollen has been already 

 deposited, a heavy rain may wash it away before it 

 has commenced its work. 



Upon this subject Dr. Berkeley remarks, that the 

 secretion of viscous fluid, which is exuded from the 

 surface of the style, and which develops the tubes 

 that insert themselves down the style to the ovule 

 from the pollen grains, is often washed ofi" in rainy 

 weather, so that even if the pollen falls upon the 

 style afterwards, it produces no result. Sudden 

 heat succeeding a fog or cloudy weather, he thinks 



