LANTANA MUTABILIS. 93 



known as the anthers, and generally consist of two parallel lobes or 

 cells, which, when the antlier is ripe, open, and permit the dispersion 

 of the fertilising powder, or pollen, from within. The pollen is some- 

 times white, red, blue, brown, but most frequently of a yellow colour. 

 It consists of exceedingly minute particles, of regular form and texture, 

 the number of which in one anther is almost incredible ; in Cereus 

 grandiflora, Morren counted five hundred, but in others they not un- 

 frequently amount to many thousands. There is a circumstance con- 

 nected with the opening of the anther wliich must not be silently 

 passed over, because it not only serves as a beautiful specimen of 

 mechanism, but also points out the necessity of regulating the hygro- 

 metric condition of the atmosphere during tlie fecundating process. The 

 anther cells are lined with an exceedingly delicate and highly elastic 

 tissue, which forms an infinite multitude of little springs, that, when 

 dried by tlie absorbent properties of the pollen grains, contract and 

 pull back the valves of the anthers, by a powerful accumulation of 

 forces which, individually, are scarcely appreciable ; so that the open- 

 ing of the anthers is the result of the maturity of the pollen. Now it 

 is a well-known fact that all fruits ripen much earlier, and in greater 

 perfection, in an atmosphere containing little or no appreciable amount 

 of moisture than in one liigldy charged with humidity ; tiierefore, in 

 drawing an analogy, it may reasonably be presumed that the fecunda- 

 ting powder of the anther will do so too. And this we find to be the 

 case, for though vines deliglit in a humid medium before and after im- 

 pregnation, yet their blossoms never set so kindly as in an atmosphere 

 of comparative dryness. 



( To he continued.) 



LANTANA MUTABILIS. 



This is an old inliabitant of our stoves and warm greenhouses, and has 

 long been admired tlierein. It has recently been cultivated in tlie open 

 fiower-beds in summer, and proves to be a most beautiful and attractive 

 object. 



The plant will bloom very profusely at any size desired, and forms 

 a neat busli. It usually grows from one foot to one and a half high. 

 Tlie flowers are produced in corymbous heads, in immense profusion ; 

 and are of very distinct delicate white, yellow, and rose in each head 

 of blossoms. 



It deserves to be in every flower-garden, either as a single ornament 

 or grown in masses. The flowers are produced much larger out of doors 

 than in the house. L. Sellowiuna is also well adapted for the open 

 bed in summer, and as a dwarf plant is a handsome companion to tlie 

 Verbena, &;c. It does remarkably well, too, as a rock-work trailer, 

 its rosy-purple flowers producing a pleasing effect. 



