92 HANDBOOK OF NATURE STUDY 



moist surface of the stigma the pollen grains send out small 

 tubes, which grow through the style into the tiny ovules 

 (seedlets) below. Unless that union takes place, the ovule 

 does not develop into a seed, but dies. Some flowers, 

 like the tulip and lilies, have only one kind of floral en- 

 velop, which is called the perianth. Others, like the 

 grasses, are destitute of both calyx and corolla. Their 

 stamens and pistils are protected by small chaff-like glumes 

 or bracts. 



The chief service the corolla or the perianth renders the 

 plant is the attraction of insects. They come to eat the 

 honey secreted by the nectaries, and the showy corolla or 

 perianth act like large bright signs, showing them where to 

 go. In some flowers, as the Fuchsias, the calyx also has a 

 bright color, and serves to attract insects. The important 

 service insects render to plants is the carrying of pollen from 

 one flower to another. Inconspicuous flowers are either 

 wind-fertilized or self-fertilized. Flowers which are ferti- 

 lized by the wind, like poplars, hazels, birches, maples, 

 grasses, etc., produce a large amount of pollen. Can you 

 tell why that should be necessary ? Most of our well- 

 known plants have the stamens and pistils in the same 

 flower; some, like the cucumber family, have them in dif- 

 ferent flowers ; others, like the poplars and willows, pro- 

 duce staininate flowers on one tree and pistillate flowers on 

 another. Only pistillate flowers can produce seeds ; stami- 

 nate flowers wither and dry up when they have shed their 

 pollen. 



5. Fruit. The ovary with the mature seeds enclosed is 

 catted the fruit. In some plants the calyx tube enlarges and 

 also forms a part of the fruit. The Berry, as shown in the 

 currant, the gooseberry, and the grape, is one of the most 

 common kinds of fruit. Here the whole ovary has become 

 fleshy. The Gourd fruit is simply a very large berry with 



