144 FLOWER-GARDENING. 



192. The ovula are the rudiments of seed. 

 193. If the fertilizing powder of the pollen comes in contact 

 with the stigmata, the ovula in the cells of the pistillum are 

 vivified, and become seed. 



194. But if this contact does not take place, the ovula can- 

 not possibly be vivified, but shrivel up and perish. 



195. The phenomenon of vivification takes place in conse- 

 quence of the descent of a portion of the moving particles (190) 

 of the pollen into the ovula, where such particles form the 

 commencement of future plants. 



196. In wild plants, stigmata is usually acted upon only by 

 the pollen of the stamens which belong to it. 



197. In this case, the seed thus vivified will, when sown, 

 produce new individuals, differing very little from that by which 

 they were themselves produced. 



198. And, therefore, wild plants are for the most part mul- 

 tiplied from generation to generation without change. 



199. But it is possible to cause deviations from this law by 

 artificial means. 



200. If the pollen of one species be placed upon the stig- 

 mata of another species, the ovula will be vivified ; and what is 

 called a hybrid plant will be produced by those ovula when 

 they shall have grown to be seed. 



201. Hybrid plants are different from both their parents, 

 and are generally intermediate in character between them. 



202. They have little power of perpetuating themselves by 

 seed; but they may, if woody, be perpetuated by cuttings 

 (312), buds (354), scions (335), etc. 



203. Therefore, no hybrids but such as are of a woody 

 perennial character can be perpetuated. 



204. It usually happens that the hybrid has the constitution 

 and general aspect of the polliniferous parent ; but is influenced 

 in secondary characters by the peculiarity of the female parent. 



205. This should always be borne in mind in procuring new 

 hybrid plants. 



206. Really hybrid plants must not be confounded with 



