182 FLdWLK. 



winds, and like the petiole of the leaf, to facilitate the 

 motion of the organs with which they are connected. 



The anther, which is the only essential part of the 

 stamen is generally of a membranous texture ; consist- 

 ing of two cells which open laterally, as in the Lily, or 

 at the summit as in the Pyrola and the Heaths. In the 

 stamens of most flowers, each filament is tipped with a 

 solitary anther ; but in Fumaria, there are three an- 

 thers to each filament, and in the Theobroma, (the 

 plant from which chocolate is procured) there are five. 

 When the stamen is destitute of a filament, the anther 

 is said to be sessile. In Parnassia when the flower 

 first expands, the anthers are all sessile ; but they 

 gradually and successively rise above the germen, in 

 consequence of the growth of their respective fila- 

 ments. The anthers are said to be connivent, when 

 they approach and even come in contact with each 

 other, as in Violets ; adnate when they are firmly 

 united to the filament ; and versatile, when loosely at- 

 tached to its summit, and turning with the slightest 

 breath of air. 



" The Pollen or dust, is contained in the Anther* 

 from which it is thrown out chiefly in dry warm weath- 

 er, when the coat of the latter contracts and bursts. 

 The Pollen, though to the naked eye a fine powder, 

 light enough to be wafted along by the air, is so cu- 

 riously formed, and so various in different plants as to 

 be an interesting and popular object for the micro- 

 scope. Each grain of it is commonly a membranaceous 

 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 anther ; then it 

 bursts with great force, discharging a most subtle 

 vapour. In the Orchis family, and some other plants, 



