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

168 SCIENCE AND RELIGION.On the contrary, most important differencesresult according to the source of the pollen.There is first the process of self-fertilization.But in many cases,-Mr. Darwin has shownthat this holds of the majority of the orchids,-transference of the pollen from one plantto another proves to be a great advantage, ifnot an actual necessity for propagation of theplant. This process, known as cross-fertilization,gives a healthy and vigorous growth;want of it, will lead to degeneration, and ultimateextinction. This discovery has introduceda whole series of the most striking observations,throwing a flood of light on thedistribution and interdependence of distinctforms of organism. The necessary relationbetween the pollen and the seed having beenacknowledged, and next the value of transferenceof pollen from one plant to another, thefirst step in the line of discovery was made bythe observation of a natural provision to prevelztself-fertilkution by rendering it impossiblethat the pollen of a plant sho~~ld fall on theseed of that plant. This entrance on the lineof discovery was made by Sprengel so farback as 1'790, by whom it was observed thatin many plants the pollen and the seed did