XV. 



THE GOLDEN RULE FOR FLOWERS 



' " Get fertilized ! cross-fertilized, if you can, self- 

 fertilized if you must," that is nature's golden rule for 

 flowers.' 



We have mentioned only a few of the curious and 

 interesting arrangements by which the pollen is in 

 very many cases prevented from coming in contact 

 with the ovules of its own blossom ; but enough has 

 been said to show that this f^.elf-fertilization is generally 

 discouraged, and made in many cases either difficult 

 or altogether impossible. 



We have now to see how cross-fertilization is 

 provided for, and by what messengers pollen is con- 

 veyed from one blossom to another. These messengers 

 are wind, insects of many kinds, birds, and even in 

 some instances that most unlikely of gardeners, the ill- 

 reputed snail. 



Plants which depend upon the wind for bringing 

 them the needful pollen have small, inconspicuous, 

 and generally scentless blossoms ; bright colours, sweet 

 scents, and honey, being usually confined to those 

 plants which need the services of birds and insects. The 

 pistil-tips or stigmas of the former are also especially 



