Structure, etc., of Epiphegus Virginiana. 379 



definite purpose with regard to insect visitors. But just 

 what this purpose is has not been discovered. 



The Androecium. — There are four stamens inserted on 

 the corolla and one-third from its base. This is true of 

 both cleistogamic and evident flowers. But in the cleisto- 

 gamic flower the stamens show great reduction in size and 

 an actual increase in the production of micro-spores (Fig. 



In the chasmogamic flower the filament shows a large 

 central bundle. At the base, both phloem and xylem are 

 well developed. But the phloem constantly decreases in 

 amount toward the anther region. Hairs develop across 

 the inner face of the filament, just above its origin on the 

 corolla. They are nearly identical with the hairs of the 

 corresponding area on the corolla, being very long, narrow 

 and multicellular. 



The anther consists of two lobes that hang dependent 

 from the upper tip of the filament. They are remarkable in 

 being so distinctly separated from each other. They meet 

 in the upper portion, but diverge widely below, being found 

 on opposite sides of the filament. 



There is a great development of hairs even on these anther 

 lobes. Each hair is extremely long, slender, unicellular and 

 has tapering ends that often hook downward. A great deal 

 of thickening is developed in the cells of these anther walls, 

 of a clear, shining, refractive appearance. In section, this 

 thickening is seen to be deposited quite evenly about the 

 walls of the two or three rows of cells that form the anther 

 sac. But in the late stage of the anther, this thickening is 

 loosened out from the cells and split up in various ways, so 

 that bars and angles and even squares of glistening thick- 

 ening substance are seen lying over each other in the great- 

 est confusion. This state of afifairs was always noted when 

 dehiscence had occurred, so it was probably a result of 

 dehiscence. The line of dehiscence is a vertical one, passing 

 from top to bottom of the anther wall. 



