Blossom and Seed 



195 



upwards from the base of the flower, we shall see in 

 the very centre a hair-like stalk, with a knob at the 

 upper end and a hollow swelling at the lower end. On 

 splitting open this hollow part, we find that it contains 

 a number of very minute grains, ovules, or little eggs, 

 which, in the ordinary course of things, would be con- 

 verted into seeds. 



This central organ is the pistil, which consists of 



Section of Fuchsia-blossom. 



one or more bodies, named carpels, each with its 

 hollow case, or ovary, below, and its stalk, or style, 

 above ; and these are either distinct one from another, 

 or combined into one organ. 



Outside the pistil stand the dust-spikes, or stamens, 

 — stalks bearing each a double sac, or anther, which 

 is filled with the dust known as pollen. Pistil and 



