

T po AMA moo  ——————S 
GOETHE ON THE METAMORPHOSIS OF PLANTS. 17 
compensates by its energy for what those vessels have lost in power of 
expansion; if, when this pollen is set free, it immediately seeks the 
pistils (placed by nature in close proximity with the stamens), if it 
attaches itself to the. pistils, and imparts its influence to them,—then 
are we by no means averse to consider the union of the male and 
female organs as an ideal anastomosis;* and we think that, for the 
moment at least, we have brought the ideas of growth and reprodue-. 
tion a step nearer to each other. 
64. The subtile substance which is organized in the anthers, looks 
like mere powder; but the little pollen-grains are in faet nothing more 
or less than vessels (cells), in which an extremely refined moisture is 
enclosed. We coincide, then, in the opinion of those who maintain, that 
this moisture is absorbed by the pistils, to which the pollen-grains 
attach themselves, and that thus fertilization is effected. This ap- 
pears the more probable, from the fact that some plants secrete no 
pollen-grains, but moisture only. 
65. We are here reminded of the honey-like liquid of the nectaries ; 
and its probable connection with the elaborated moisture contained in 
the pollen-grains. ^ Perhaps the nectaries are preparatory organs; and 
their honey-like moisture may possibly be absorbed, perfected, and 
fully elaborated by the anthers ; an opinion which derives greater pro- 
bability from the disappearance of this fluid after fertilization has 
taken place. 
66. We must, not omit a eursory remark as to the different ways in 
which the filaments unite with each: other in some flowers (Mona- 
delphia, ete.), and the anthers in others (Syngenesia) ; exhibiting the 
most curious examples of anastomosis and combination, between organs 
which at an earlier stage were perfectly distinct. 
* The diseovery of the pollen-tubes has rendered this far more certain than it was 
at the time when Goethe wrote. 
T It is needless to do more than remark that-modern research has completely shown 
the falsity of the opinion stated in this paragraph. 
I Vaucher (Hist, Phys. Pl. Europ. p. 13) held that the honey-like liquid of 
flowers plays a very important part in the fertilization of the ovule ; especially by dis- 
solving the pollen and fitting it for its office. He pointed out the existence of nec- 
taries, or secreting organs, in many flowers where they had not previously been. de- 
tected. See also Brongniart, * Sur les Glandes Septales À lOvaire, Ann. Sc. Nat. 4th 
ser. ii. p. 1 Darwin (‘On the Various Contrivances by which British and Foreigu 
Orchids are Fertilized by Insects,’ 1862, p. 278, ete.) shows that the nectar is of the 
highest importance to Orchids, by attracting insects ; without whose agency fertiliza- 
tion could not be effected. ; 
c 

