OF FLOWERING PLANTS. 67 
do not say it is prepotent; any reader of the “Natural- 
ist” may experiment for himself on the Kalmia. It is 
only offered here as a hint. . 
The field opened up by Mr. Darwin’s experiments is 
new, and alluring, and perchance for that very reason 
may sometimes be so attractive as to lead us beyond the 
limits of sound reasoning, and reliable experiments. Yet 
there exists a group of plants in the study of which we 
may almost feel safe in giving a loose rein to our theories, 
for facts already ascertained, prepare us to believe noth- 
ing can be too strange to be true, in relation to the fertil- 
ization of this group. I allude to the so-called dimorphic 
plants; where the same species presents two distinct 
forms, one with long stamens and short pistils; the other 
with short stamens and long pistils. Now it has been 
proven in the case of the Flax, and of the Primrose, that 
the most fertile union is that which results from the im- 
pregnation of the long-styled forms by the pollen of the 
short-styled, and the reverse. Some experiments made 
by myself, at the suggestion of Prof. Asa Gray, convince 
me that the same applies in a remarkable degree to our 
common little Spring Beauty ( ee or, as it is 
commonly called, Anhocence or Bluets.* 
"This a : | 
lustrate what. x. iint then by quoting at length, ‘though 
at second hand, from Mr Mr. Darwin's _ i paper, Spie the aaf 
. 
ual Relations of the ‘thr reef 
MALLE ithe 
*In Oldenlandia we find oe vident structural differentiation of both 
pollen and stigma. The relative length of the stamens of one form 
s- 
fertilization. I have frequentiy observed a species of Thrips aE 
ing gee from fiower to flower, with its back completely dusted ov: 
with pol 
