Pollination and Fertilization 



IS7 



enclosed by two bracts. The silk is the long style, the upper 

 portion of which is stigmatic. 



Examine Kafir Corn. Where are stamens and grains 

 borne ? 



The white spathe of Zantedeschia (" Arum ") surrounds a 

 central column, on the lower part of which ovaries are borne. 

 The upper portion is not ripe until a few days after the stigmas 

 are. It consists of stamens closely crowded, which will in time 

 discharge quantities of white pollen. The spathe or bract 



Fig. 156. — Spadi-x of Zanicdescliia c^thiofiica, Spieng, wiih one half of 

 spathe. Tiie pistillate flowers are below, the staminate flowers above. (From 

 Edmonds and Marloth's " Elementary Botany for South .Africa ".) 



surrounds a spadix of flowers, the pistillate below and staminate 

 at the top. 



These are only a few examples of imperfect or diclinous 

 flowers. Why should stamens and pistils be separated in 

 different flowers? Often on different plants'? 



We are beginning to feel sufficiently acquainted with 

 flowers to ask for confidences not revealed to chance acquaint- 

 ances. If we find a new acquaintance on the veld, let us 

 know all we can about it before it is pressed. Some of them 



