ORGANS OF REPRODUCTION. 245 



Fig. 499. Fig. 500. 



Fig. 501. 



Fi{i. 4P9. Vertical s ction of a cell of a young antlier of the Melon, showinir its 

 gradual growth and separation into regions, ce. Epidermal eel's, ci. Internal 

 cells in progress of absorption by the development of the masses of cells 



cm, in their interior. Fi'o. 500. Vertical section of a cell of a young 



anther of the Melon in a more advanced state, ce. Epidermal layer con- 

 stituting the exothe^ ium or outer covering of the antlier. ci. The internal 

 parenchymatous cells still farther absorbed. The masses of cells cm are 

 now distinctly seen to contain pollen ; they are hence called parent or 

 mother cells. These cells are surrounded by a special covering of cells cl, 

 and this layer ultimately forms the endothecium. From Maout. 



suiTOunding parenchjTna citoa greater or less extent, and thus 

 cause its corresponding absorption. When the absorption is 

 complete and the two pollen- forming masses of cells themselves 

 unite, we have an anther formed 

 of two large pollen cavities or 

 cells. If these masses do not 

 unite, a portion of the original 

 cellular mass remains as a sort 

 of partition between them, and 

 the anther consists of four cells. 

 The different parts of which 

 the anther is composed may be 

 best seen by making a trans- 

 verse section (Jig. 501). Thus 

 here we observe two parallel 

 lobes, B, B, separated by a por- 

 tion, A, a, called the connective, 

 to which the filament is attached. 

 Each lobe is divided into two 

 cavities, d, d, d, d, by a septum 

 which passes from the connective 

 to the walls of the anther. 

 The cavities thus formed in the 

 lobes are called cells, loculi, or 

 R 3 



Fig. .501. Transverse section of an un- 

 opened anther of Xeottia picta. 

 From Schleiden. a. Connective, b, 

 B. The two lobes of the anther, o. 

 Vascular bundle of the connective. 



b. Epidermal layer or exothecium. 



c. Layer of fibrous cells forming the 

 endothecium. d, c/, d, d. The four 

 loculi or cells of the amher. Each 

 lobe is seen to be divided into two 

 loculi by a septum or partition, c, e. 

 The sutures or points where delii- 

 scence ultimately takes place. 



