82 THE STOBY OF THE PLANTS 



stronger and livelier young by so combining 

 with another of its own species. 



In the thread-like pond-weeds the two uniting 

 cells are practically similar. They are not dis- 

 tinguished as male and female. Neither of them 

 is larger or smaller than the other; neither of 

 them is more active or more vigorous than its 

 consort. But in the higher plants a marked 

 difference invariably exists between the two cells 

 that join to form the new individual — a difference 

 of kind ; we have sex now appearing. One of 

 the cells is smaller, and more active ; it is called 

 a male cell or pollen cell. The other is larger, 

 richer, and more passive ; it is called a female 

 cell, or ovule — that is to say in plain English, a 

 little egg. Now the nature of the ovule is such 

 that it cannot grow out into a seed or young 

 plant till it has been united with and fertilised 

 by the smaller but more active and lively pollen- 

 cell. 



Separate organs in the higher plants always 

 produce the pollen-grain and the ovule. These 

 organs are known as stamens ^ind pistils (Fig. 

 15). They are really separate individuals, or 

 males and females. The stamen is the father 

 of the seed, so to speak, and the pistil its mother. 



This is a hard saying, I know ; and, in order 

 that you may understand it, I must begin by 

 telling you another point about the plant which 

 I have hitherto to some extent studiously con- 

 cealed from you. It is this — each higher plant 

 is not so much a single individual as a commu- 

 nity or colony. 



A hive of bees will help you to understand 



