24 ENGLISH WILD FLOWEBS. 



anther. This anther contains two small lobes or cells, 

 which contain a fine dust, called pollen. 

 This is the fertilizing matter of the 

 flower. 



The pistil is the central pillar, very- 

 conspicuous in the lily and tulip, but 

 is absent in some flowers. It consists 

 of a leaf folded on its mid-rib, the two 

 sides of the lamina or blade of which 

 are united at their margins, to form 

 the ovary. The summit of this folded leaf, denuded 

 of its epidermis, corresponds to the stigma or head of 

 the pistil. The part of the pistil between the stigma 

 and ovary is called the style. The pistil, when present, 

 is always in the centre of the flower, and the stamens 

 surround it. The ovary is so named because it con- 

 tains the ovules, which, after fertilization, are con- 

 verted into seed. 



The process of fertilization takes place when all the 

 flowers are fully expanded and matured. The anthers 

 at first are moist and closed ; but as they approach 

 maturity, they become dry, their cells are ruptured, 

 and they discharge their dust-like pollen on the stig- 

 matic surface of the pistil, which is provided with a 



