364 



Evolution and Adaptation 



styled plants. It is evident from these results that the long- 

 form pistils, fertilized with pollen from flowers of the same 

 pistil-form (from other individuals as a rule), tend to produce 

 the same form as their parents, although occasionally the 

 other form. The fertility of these plants from an illegitimate 

 union is found to be very low. Darwin observed that some- 

 times the male and female organs of these plants were in a 

 very deteriorated condition. It is interesting to notice, in 

 this connection, that in another species, Primula sinensis, 

 illegitimate plants from long-styled parents were vigorous, 

 but the flowers were small and more like the wild form. 

 They were, however, perfectly fertile. 



