THE PARTS OF A FLOWER. 



the stalk or style; and the stigma, which in many 

 familiar instances forms a small head at the top of the 

 style or ovary, and to which the pollen must find its 

 way in order to fertilise the flower. 



But though the pistil is thus surrounded by a row of 

 stamens there are comparatively few cases in which 

 the pollen of the latter falls directly on the former. 

 On the contrary this transference is in most cases 

 effected in other ways generally by means of the wind, 



FIG. 5. Geranium pratcnse (young 

 flower). Five of the stamens are 

 erect. 



FIG. 6. Geranium pratense (older 

 flower). The stamens have retired, 

 and the stigmas are expanded. 



of insects, or, in some cases, of birds. In the former 

 case, however, by far the greater part of the pollen is 

 wasted ; arid much more must therefore be produced 

 than in those cases where the transference is effected 

 by insects. 



One advantage, of course, is the great economy of 

 pollen. We have not much information on the subject, 

 but it would seem, from the few observations that have 

 been made, that half a dozen pollen grains are sufficient 

 to fertilise a seed. But in plants in which the pollen is 

 carried by the wind, the chances against any given grain 



