176 THE HUMAN SIDE OF PLANTS 
stalks entirely hidden under the water. The Ital- 
ian eel-grass (Vallisneria spiralis) uses this unique 
method of fertilisation. The female flowers grow 
on long, spirally twisted stalks, and each flower is 
enclosed in a small bladder. The male flowers grow 
in bunches, and each entire bunch is covered with 
a thin skin-like sheath. The female flower has con- 
tinued to reach up her head until the flowers rest 
on the surface of the water; while the male is tied 
down below by a short stalk. 
Now the miracle happens! The gallant wooer 
deliberately breaks loose from his underwater posi- 
tion, and arises to the top where his lady-love is 
peacefully floating! 'The male flower bursts open 
his sepals and forms a tiny raft, and, by means of 
this raft, he is enabled to float around until some 
kind wind or wave brings him in contact with his 
love. Some of the pollen from the male adheres to 
the female flower; she drops to the bottom of the 
water, and there remains while the seeds are being 
developed. 
There are many flowers that cater neither to 
birds, insects, nor water, but look only to the wind 
for fertilisation. These wind-fertilised flowers 
usually are not conspicuous; for example, there are 
many of the grasses, to say nothing of the large 
trees. Exceptions are found in quack-grass, 
