11' 



SUGAR BEET SEED. 



correspond to the fertilized ovum of each flower. The 

 engraving (Fig. 8), shows several flowers in dififerent 

 states of maturity, all adhering to the same stem; at 

 the same time their pericarps are nearly blended 

 together, and when completely matured they 

 frequently form one. 



Fertilization. 



When the proper time approaches and the anthers 

 are in a perfect condition of maturity, a very little air 



Fig. 10. Section of flowei; 

 through pistil. 



rjG. 11. Section of nucleus. 



is sufficient to carry the pollen from their surface. 

 What seems strange respecting the hermaphrodite 

 plant, such as the beet, is that the male portion of the 

 plant does not, according' to Darwin, mature at the san-.e 



5 6 



Fig. Vi. Seed development. 



time as the female; the consequence is that seldom, if 

 ever, the beet flower is self-fertilized, but it is the pol- 

 len from some other flower which happens to be blown 

 in contact with the pistil, to be communicated by the 

 stvle to the embrvo. This assertion coming from anv 



