POLYGALA. 



[CHAP. 



Milkwort (Poly gala vulgaris)^ Fig. 59. The structure 

 of the flower is curious, and was first explained by 

 Hildebrand, whose account, however, does not seem 

 to me entirely complete or satisfactory. There are 

 five sepals (Figs. 60, 61 s s\ of which three are small, 

 linear, and greenish ; the other two much larger, 

 coloured like the petals, and obovate or oblong. The 



FIG. 59. Polygabi vulgaris. 



petals form a tube to the inside of which the stamens 

 are attached in two bundles (Fig. 61 a\ and which 

 contains a number of white hairs pointing downwards, 

 while near the upper end are two groups of finger- 

 like lobes. The pistil (Fig. 61 st) occupies the axis of 

 the flower, and ends in a spoon-shaped hollow. The 

 short stamens lie just over this hollow, and shed their 

 pollen into it, after which they withdraw a little to the 

 side. Close behind the hollow is a projection which 



