214 Mr. Brown's Account of a new Genus of Plants* 



the thecae either above or below the connecting filament ; in an 

 increased number of divisions of each theca by longitudinal, 

 transverse, or oblique processes of the receptacle of the pollen, 

 as in several genera of Orchidece and Laurince ; or in the per- 

 sistence of part of the cells in which the pollen is formed, as in 

 Mgiceras. 



Reduced and increased development of different parts may 

 co-exist in the same organ, as in the bifid or incumbent anthera 

 with contiguous thecae ; in the extraordinary dilatation of the 

 connecting portion of the filament, while one of the thecae is abor- 

 tive or imperfect, as in the greater number of Salvia; ; or in the 

 thecee being confluent, while the polliniferous cells are at the 

 same time persistent, as in certain species of Viscum. 



The deviations from the regular mode of bursting are also nu- 

 merous ; in some cases consisting either in the aperture being 

 confined to a definite portion, generally the upper extremity, of 

 the longitudinal furrow, as in Dillenia and Solatium ; in the apex 

 of each theca being produced beyond the receptacle of the pol- 

 len into a tube opening at top, as in several Ericince ; or in the 

 two theca? being confluent at the apex, and bursting by a com- 

 mon foramen or tube, as in Tetratheca. In other cases a sepa- 

 ration of determinate portions of the membrane takes place, either 

 the whole length of the theca, as in Hamamclidece and Berberidece; 

 jor corresponding with its subdivisions, as in several Laurince ; or 

 lastly, having no obvious relation to internal structure, as in cer- 

 tain species of .Rhizophora. 



The regular structure may also be altered or disguised by the 

 union of two or more stamina ; the thecae of each anthera either 

 remaining distinct and parallel, as in Myristica, Canella, and in 

 several Aroidece ; being divaricate and united, as in Cissampelos ; 

 or absolutely separate, by division of the filament, as in Cono- 

 spermum and Synaphea. 



It 



