AND ANTHERS. 2lf 



The Anther is the only essential part of a Stamen^ 

 It is generally of a membranous texture, consisting 

 of two cells or cavities, bursting longitudinally at their 

 outer edges, as in the Tulip. In Erica, t. 101 3- — 15, 

 it opens by pores near the summit, as in the Potatoe- 

 blossom. Very /rarely the Anther has four cells, as 

 Tetratheca, Bot. of N. Holl. t. 5, and Exot. Bot. t. 

 20* — 22. Sometimes it is ornamented with a crest, 

 as in many Ericie, and the genus Pinus. See Mr. 

 Lambert's splendid work. 



The Pollen, or Dust, is contained in the Anther, 

 from which it is thrown out chiefly in wurni dry 

 ' weather, when the coat of the latter contracts and 

 bursts. The Pollen, though to the naked eye a fine 

 powder, and light enough to be wafted along by the 

 air, is so curiously formed, and so various in different: 

 plants, as to be an interesting and popular object for' 

 the microscope. Each grain of it is commonly a 

 membranous bag, round or angular, rough or smooth, 

 which remains entire till it meets with any moisture, 

 being contrary in this respect to the nature of the An- 

 ther ; then it bursts with great force, discharging a 

 most subtile vapour. In the Orchis family, and some 

 other plants, the pollen is of a glutinous nature, very 

 different from its usual aspect. See remarks on Mi- 

 rabilis longijlora, Exot. Bot. v. I. 44, 



The Stamens are changed to petals in double flow- 

 ers, and rendered uselesso They are often obliterated 



* In this plate the engraver has by mistake expressed the sec^ 

 tion of the anther so as to look more like a germen, though tl>© 

 original drawing was correct. 



UD 



