35:2 BRITISH FLOWERINU PLAiSJTS chap. 



formed of soft parenchyma, has no part in the opening 

 of the valves. The inner lignified layer, according to 

 Le Clerc du Sablon, is composed of three divisions, 

 each of one layer of cells. The internal epidermis 

 consists of fibres at an angle of 45° to the axis of the 

 fruit ; then comes a layer elongated radially, and finally 

 one of cells at right angles to those of the epidermis. 

 The result of this is that the valves open outwards. 

 The structure of M. perennis is very similar, but the 

 rows of cells are more numerous. 



M. perennis. — The dust-like pollen is conveyed to 

 the stigmas by the wind ; and the stigmas are said 

 to be capable of fertilisation at least two days before 

 the pollen is ripe. The leaves, which are glabrous or 

 hairy, are opposite, and provided with stipules. They 

 thus form a sort of cup which holds the rain. In it is 

 a rounded ridge, with a row of hairs. This is readily 

 wetted and probably absorbs moisture. 



M. annua. — Like the preceding, this species is dioe- 

 cious. But female plants cultivated in pots by them- 

 selves have long been known to give fertile seeds. This 

 result is so unusual and so remarkable that it has been 

 suggested either that there may have been one or two 

 male flowers which had been overlooked or that a few 

 grains of pollen might have come from a distance. 

 Ramisch, however, and subsequently Kerner, have grown 

 female plants in districts where the plant does not 

 occur wild, and yet they set fertile seeds. The plant is 

 glabrous. Like so many other weeds of cultivation it 

 is annual. According to Kerner it throws its seeds. 



Buxus (Box) 



Monoecious wind flowers, with free-lying nectar in 

 both sexes. 



B. sempervirens. — The Box flowers early, and is 

 sometimes visited by bees for its pollen, the more so, no 

 doubt, as there are not then many other plants in 

 flower. The male and female flowers are associated in 

 the same cluster, the former below, and the latter 



