234 



FREAKS OF PLANT LIFE. 



ovary, with a stigma on the top, and surrounding this 

 five stamens on short filaments, which are indeed so 

 short that the anthers can scarce reach the top of the 

 ovary. When the pollen is ripe the filaments of the 

 stamens lengthen themselves one by one, and apply the 

 face of the anther to the stigma. After the pollen is 



Fii^. 37. — Flowers of Epilobium. 



discharged the filaments bend back to the level of the 

 petals, and the empty pollen-cases soon fall off" and 

 leave the five filaments spread out in a star-like 

 manner alternate with the petals of the flower. The 

 same phenomena have been observed in other species 

 of the same genus. 



