102 , FLOWERING PLANTS 
leaving a central column, called the carpophore, because it 
bears the carpels. The fruit is thus a Schizocarp (“ Elementary 
Botany,” p.64). In the geranium each carpel, as it rolls back, 
opens along the edge, shooting out the seed to a considerable 
distance ; each single fruit is thus a capsule. In some genera 
belonging to the Order the carpels, though separating from 
each other, do not dehisce; then the fruit, falling on the 
ground, buries itself.by means of its beak, and the seeds do 
not burst the seed-vessel until ready to germinate. 

Fies. 72, 73.—GERANIUM SANGUINEUM, SCHIZOCARP BEFORE DEHISCENCE, 
AND DEHISCING. 
Geranium pratense has lost the power of self-pol- 
lination, probably owing to the fact of insect-visits 
through a long period of time. Other species of geranium 
are still capable of self-pollination when insect-visits fail ; but 
this is not the case with Geranium pratense, owing to the fact 
that the stamens dehisce before the stigmas are ready to 
receive pollen. Three stages in the pollination of this 
geranium may be made out: first, the 5 outer stamens ripen, 
dehisce, and wither; then the 5 inner stamens dehisce, the 
stigmas being still immature ; lastly, the stigmas spread out 
their surfaces above the withered stamens ready to receive 
the pollen brought by the bee. The flower is open by day, © 
hangs down and half closes itself at night. 
Pollination: 


