167 



In this connection it deserves notice that the nectaries 

 of the epipetalous whorl and also those of the missing 

 stamens of the episepalous whorl are abortive together 

 with the stamens. The same is observed with Cerastium 

 semidecandrum L., G. erechim L. and Ilolosteum umbellaium 

 L. ; hère also the nectaries of the missing stamens hâve 

 disappeared as a rule. 



With the Papilionaceae, of which I investigated Liipinus 

 liiteiis L., Lupinus grandifolius L., Lathyrus odoratus L., 

 Lathyrus latifoUus L. and Vicia Faba L., the anthers are 

 known to open already in the closed flower. The petals 

 precipitate cuprous oxide from Fehling's solution, but 

 exert no influence on the opening of the anthers. Flower 

 buds of Lathyrus latifoUus and Lathyrus odoratus were 

 deprived of their petals and placed in the moist chamber 

 together with loose anthers. The loose anthers remained 

 closed, but the others burst open. 



In the same way as the flowers of Stellaria média and the 

 mentioned Papilionaceae, behave with respect to the opening 

 of the anthers in a space, saturated with water-vapour: 



Stellaria Holostea L , St. graminea L., Cerastium Bieber- 

 steinii, G. arvense L., Cochlearia danica L., Sisymbrium Alli- 

 aria Scop., Crambe hispanica L., Bunias orienfalis L., Cap- 

 sella Biirsa pastoris Mnch.^ Hesperis violacea L., H. matro- 

 nalis L., Thlaspi arvense L., Alyssum maritimmn Lam., 

 and further I^ychnis diurna Sibth., Silène inflata Sm. Ga- 

 lium Mollugo L., Asperula ciliata Rochl., Campanula média 

 L., C. latifolia L. 



With ail thèse plants the bursting of the anthers must, in 

 my opinion, be ascribed to the influence of the nectaries. 



With Hesperis two large nectaries are found at the inner 

 side of the base of the two short stamens and between 

 thèse and the four long stamens. If a flower of Hesperis 

 violacea or H. matronalis L., after being deprived of its 

 petals and sepals, is placed in the moist chamber, nearly 



