PISTILLATES AND STAMINATES 27 



in the current and often entangle our oars. The 

 pistillate flower-buds rise to the surface on ex- 

 ceedingly long and slender stalks, varying in length 

 according to the depth of water, and are found 

 singly in a tubular spathe. The calyx is three- 

 parted, with a long tube, and there are three stig- 

 mas, each with two tubes. The flower is shown in 

 the acconij^anying figure. The staminate flowers 

 grow crowded close together in an ovate, three- 

 valved spathe, mounted upon a very short stalk. 

 At the proper time these flowers are set free and 

 break loose from their parent stem. Since they 

 are lighter than the water, they rise to the surface 

 and are carried by the shifting currents to the vicin- 

 ity of the pistillate flowers, and shed their pollen, 

 some of which is sure to reach the awaiting stigmas. 

 Now another curious movement occurs. As soon 

 as the pistillate flowers have become fertilised their 

 long stems curl into spirals, drawing them down 

 into the depths of the water where they perfect and 

 shed their seeds. 



The foregoing list of dioecious flowers is very 

 small and incomplete, but will suffice to show that 

 the habit is alike common to stately trees, aspiring 

 vines, and humble herbs, and the descriptions and 

 diagrams will prove that the crude and simple 



