The Relation of Science and Religion.pdf - Online Christian Library

166 SCIENCE AND RELIGION.spring up. The relation of the fine yellowpowder produced at the tips of the thirdwhorl, to the seeds which are gathered togetherwithin the fourth whorl, is the matterto which special attention has been directedby the recent discoveries which have rewardedpatient research. The fine powder or pollenneeds to be carried to the seed, so that itsproperties may operate upon that seed, if itis to be fertilized, or so matured, as to f~~lfilits function in generating a new plant whenit is committed to the soil. In many cases itis enough that the fine powder should falldown from its elevation on the seeds below.This is self-fertilization, and is easily providedfor by the mere bending of the head of theflower as it approaches maturity, or by theswaying of it in the breeze. But a more difficult,and as we might be inclined to add,more precarious, because less certain, methodfor fertilization is required in many cases.The experiments carried on by all our gardeners,and in a still more extended scale inall our centres of botanic research, have establishedthe fact that in many cases, the yellowpowder of one plant must be in some mannercarried over to the seed produced within an-