USB OF THE STAMENS AND PISTILS. 67 



the stigma, where the situation of those parts is apparently 

 unfavorable to this process. When the stamens are shorter 

 than the pistils, the flower often, or perhaps commonly droops, 

 so that when the anthers burst, the pollen will fall on the 

 stigma. And it has been remarked as worthy of notice, that 

 in drooping flowers, the stamens are always shorter than the 

 pistils, while in erect ones the pistils are always the shortest 

 This provision is evidently designed to favor the contact ol 

 the pollen. In the Parnassia, the stamens which are longer 

 than the pistils, lean over the stigma in succession, and shed 

 their pollen. In the common Laurel, (Kalmia latifolia,} we 

 have often observed with admiration, the means employed to 

 accomplish the same end. The ten anthers of this species 

 are confined in as many pits in its wheel-form corolla, until 

 the proper time for the influence of the pollen, when by the 

 shrinking of the flower they are liberated from their confine- 

 ment, and instantly spring with such force as to throw the 

 pollen, in a little stream of dust, far above the stigma. The 

 slightest touch with the point of a needle, or even the feet ot 

 insects, crawling over these parts, will produce the same ef- 

 fect, at the proper season. 



INFLORESCENCE. 



Inflorescence signifies the manner or mode of flowering, 

 or as Prof. Lindley has it, " the ramification of that part ot 

 the plant intended for re-production." 



The modes of flowering are various, and are distinguished 

 by different names, which have been derived from something 

 relative to the appearance, situation, or number of the flow- 

 ers. 



The kinds which botanists more particularly distinguish, 

 are as follow : Fig 125 



1. Umbel, Fig. 125, (umbella.) 

 This is that kind of inflorescence 

 which is produced when several 

 peduncles, or flower stems, proceed 

 from a common centre, in a whorl, 

 like the braces of an umbrella in- 

 verted, and reaching the same 

 height, form nearly a level head of flowers. Ex. Carrot, 

 Dill, Fennel. These plants are called Umbelliferous, and 

 form one of the best characterized among the natural orders 



What is meant by inflorescence 1 What is the form of an umbel ! 

 What are examples of this kind of inflorescence 1 ? 



