x)f the Flower of the Papilionaceae. 157 



If on the contrary the calycinal tube is very short and 

 broad, and the calyx thus surrounds the other floral parts but 

 very loosely — as in most of the Sophore(B — then indeed the 

 carina is formed of two non-cohering petals, nevertheless the 

 papilionaceous flower is still easily recognizable. This case 

 has also a similar action on the stamina, which are then like- 

 wise free or only cohering at their base. 



The stamina, which in the Papilionaceae are with few excep- 

 tions always to the number of ten, stand, as is well known, in 

 two circles around the ovarium. These two circles, it is true, 

 are in most cases, from the cohesion of the filaments, very in- 

 distinct ; yet in the young bud, as also in the perfectly deve- 

 loped flower of some Sophorece^ they are clearly to be distin- 

 guished ; and they are likewise indicated in numerous other 

 Papilionacece by the alternate similar or sterile anthers (in 

 this case it is constantly the inner circle which is sterile), 

 and also by the alternately longer and shorter filaments. The 

 stamina present but a very slight surface of opposition to the 

 outer pressure, and on that account are subject to the most 

 varied cohesions — the more so as they are situated nearest to 

 the ovarium ; nevertheless they are always more or less free 

 at the apex, and I am only acquainted with a few cases where 

 the anthers are directly sessile on the staminal tube. 



Hitherto the following modifications of cohesion of the sta- 

 mina have been observed : — 



a. The stamina cohere in a perfectly closed tube. 



b. The stamina cohere in a tube slit at the upper side, 

 either in its entire length or only partially. 



Here two cases are possible : 



a. The staminal tube is slit from the apex downwards. 

 /8. The staminal tube is slit from the base upwards. This 

 is the rarer case. 



c. The stamina cohere in a tube sUt at the lower side along 

 its whole length. Very rarely. 



d. Nine stamina cohere to a tube slit superiorly ; the 

 tenth, belonging to the inner staminal circle, and stand- 

 ing opposed to the ovarium, is in its entire length free. 



e. The stamina cohere in two bundles of 5 and 5 through- 



