186 



THE SUGAR BEET. 



fig. 37) and a section of the same (see fig. 38) ; the 

 pistiP and five stamens^ are visible. 



Fig. 37. 



Fig. 38. 



View of flower showing, the pistil 

 and stamens. 



Sectional view of flower. 



In fig. 39 we give the fruit; there are frequently three 

 adhering to the same portion of the stem ; in fig. 40 a 

 general idea of the stem, so-called, and the position of 

 the fruit thereon. The fruit, for a certain period, like 

 the leaves, decomposes the carbonic acid by day,* etc. 



This principle of reproduction was first brought to 

 notice by Sebastian Villiant in 1716, and can in no 

 way be doubted.* The above facts being known, the 



■ The pistil is the central portion of the flower ; the principal parts of these 

 pistils are the ovaries inclosing the ovules, which become fertilized. The 

 stigma is an organ placed at the top of the style, the latter being the pro- 

 longation upwards of the ovary. 



' The stamen is the male organ of the flower ; the fertilizing part or anther 

 is composed of a series of cells, which are originally soft and pulpy ; when 

 matured, they become dry and powdery,' the valves separate, and the paren- 

 chyma cells called pollen are now ready to be conveyed to the stigma. 



' The, fruit is the fertilized and ripe pistil inclosing seeds capable of produc- 

 ing plants, each of which has been an ovule fertilized by the pollen. 



* Some botanists go as far as to state that it never takes place. 



