Structure, etc., of Epiphegus Virginiana. 383 
upper part this may often increase to a considerable cav- 
ity, so that in effect there are two styles present. If styles 
are forcibly compressed under a cover-glass, they split read- 
ily in two along their entire length. In some cases the 
stigma also shows this bifid nature. In one flower that was 
sectioned, the style forked in two in the middle of its course, 
and each of these two styles bore its own separate stigma. 
It is interesting to observe the special arrangements of 
style and stamens so as to provide for cleistogamy. The 
small cavity within the cap-like corolla is nearly filled up 
by the four stamens and the style. There is little free space 
left. The style rises at the extreme posterior region, passes 
upward and curves forward (Fig. 4), close under the 
broader arch of the cap-like corolla. Anterior to the style 
rise the four stamens, two on each lateral wall, curving 
inward toward the stigma. In an older cleistogamic flower, 
the style has curved more strongly forward and then down- 
ward again. The broad stigmatic surface now lies facing 
forward and somewhat downward. The filaments have 
pulled the anthers downward by a peculiar twisting and 
bending on themselves. So now the two anther lobes of 
each stamen are seen closely appressed against the stigmatic 
surface. The stigma lies with two anthers pressed against 
it on both sides. Great numbers of pollen tubes are seen 
passing from the anthers over into the stigma. Such a 
close attachment is formed that it is impossible to tear the 
anther away from the style without completely destroying 
the tissues of both structures. 
Evidently the peculiar form of the corolla, resembling in 
shape a liberty cap as nearly as anything, depends upon the 
positions of pistil and stamens. The broad convex surface 
of the cap is the surface overlying the curving style. The 
shorter face of the cap indicates the curving planes along 
which the stamens are ranged. 
This peculiar arrangement of style and stamens supplies 
the explanation for the greater seed production in one valve 
