THE FERTILISATION OF FLOWERS. 



309 



"ovules" developed in the seed-vessel (Fig. 205, /) become "seeds," 

 and through which they are fitted to develop into new plants. 

 The unfertilised ovule is incapable of producing a new plant. 

 When set in the ground it would simply decay, as if it were a leaf 

 or other detached and dead portion of the plant-economy. When, 



FIG. 203. WALLFLOWER. 



on the contrary, it is duly fertilised, the ovule, becoming the " seed," 

 has become possessed of the powers and properties in virtue of which 

 it is capable of evolving the form of the parent-plant from which it 

 was derived. So much for the very necessary botanical distinction 



FIG. 206. FOXGLOVE. 



FIG-. 207. SNAPDRAGON. 



between " ovule" and "seed." The process of fertilisation is thus 

 seen to be that on which the continuance of plant-existence depends. 

 More closely regarded, it is known to be that which is capable under 

 certain conditions of giving origin to new races or varieties of the 

 plant-species. When the horticulturist, taking the pollen from one 

 species or variety of plant, applies this fertilising matter to the ovules 



