CHAP, iv.] EEPRODUCTION OF PLANTS. 129 



the Gymnosperms and many monoecious and dioecious 

 Angiosperms are anemopliilous or wind-fertilized, that is, 

 fertilization depended on the pollen being carried by 

 the wind and brought in contact with the ovule or the 

 stigma. This uncertain method necessitated the produc- 

 tion of enormous quantities of pollen to insure fertiliza- 

 tion, the ( ' showers of sulphur " being in reality wind- 

 transported pollen of pine-trees brought to the earth, 

 and consequently wasted, by rain; this extravagant 

 primitive arrangement was succeeded by more econo- 

 mical and exact methods in Angiosperms. 



Fig. 36. Portion of an ear 

 of wheat, an anemophilous or 

 wind-fertilized plant, showing 

 the protruding anthers sup- 

 ported on long, slender fila- 

 ments or stalks. (Enlarged. ) 



In many anemophilous plants, as the hazel, willows, 

 poplars, etc., the flowers appear in early spring before 

 the leaves, as the presence of the latter would interfere 

 with the pollen being blown on to the stigma. In many 

 species the stamens are suspended beyond the flower on 

 long, slender stalks or filaments, thus enabling the wind 

 to scatter the pollen ; the stigmas are also often elon- 

 gated and project beyond the flower, and are rough with 

 hairs for the purpose of catching the pollen ; these pecu- 

 liarities can be well seen in the grasses and plantains 

 (Plantago) . 



It is in the highest and most modern group of flower- 



K 



