THE ANNALS MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY. [FOURTH SERIES.] No. 72. DECEMBER 1873. LI II. — On the Protection of Pollen from Premature Dislodgment or Moisture. By M. A. Kerner.* The works of Darwin, Delpino, Hildebrandt, &c., on the part played by insects in the fecundation of phanerogamous plants have lately attracted attention to this subject, and led to numerous observations on the peculiarities of the organization of flowers. The investigation just published by M. Kerner relates to a point which had scarcely been touched previously, but the importance of which can hardly be doubted — namely, the precautions taken to keep the pollen intact until the moment when it is gathered by insects, and especially to pre-serve it from premature dispersion by means of the wind, or from irremediable injury by water. There is a large category of plants which escape the dangers just referred to, and the whole organization of which is directed to utilize the action of the wind for the dispersion of pollen. These are the anemophilous plants of Delpino, the dry and pulverulent pollen of which escapes in clouds at the least shake. Various peculiarities of organization all accord with the final object to be attained. Thus the flowers, in order to give free access to the wind, are never concealed under leaves, but always suspended at the extremity of slender branches (amentaceous trees), or at the summit of an elevated stalk (grasses, Cyperaceae, &c.). Moreover, as they have not to * Translated by W. S. Dallas, F.L.S., from the Abstract in the Bibliotheque Universelle, August 16, 1873, tome xlvii. p. 302. Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Ser. 4. Vol. xii. 30
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