Description

Faust had it about right, even if heunderestimated the numbers.This year as always, air currents arecarrying billions of tiny cells with beautifully-sculpted walls; these "germs"are the pollen grains of certain higherplants. They are male cells — out onthe prowl and looking for trouble. Afew will find receptive females of thesame species, with the result being fertilizedflowers and later seed. Mostsimply fail, providing food for othertiny creatures. More noticeably, thesegrains may be inhaled by a sensitivemammal, such as a human, and triggerthe loathed allergy symptoms of "hayfever." Thus they also yield pollensampling stations, media pollen alertsand forecasts, reports of "sulphurrain," dozens of allergy medicines anda touch of pity from those of us whoare reasonably allergy-free.