THE PISTIL. 31 



the pollen. When the anther is ripe the integuments burst, 

 and the fine dust, or pollen, (F. 2,) is discharged upon 

 the pistil. 



In the stamens of most flowers there is an individual anther at- 

 tached to each filament, as in the snow-drop ; but in the stamens of 

 some flowers there are two anthers to one filament, as in perennial 

 mercury. In the common fumitory, there are three anthers to one 

 filament; and in the common bryony there are five anthers to three 

 filaments. 



THE PISTIL, 



19. The pistils are likewise small and column-shaped 

 organs, of the utmost importance to the economy of a 

 flower. They occupy, almost invariably, the centre of the 

 flower, and are surrounded immediately by the stamens. 

 (F.8.J) 



If you gather the lily and take away the corolla, or white petals, 

 you will have seven long and slender organs issuing from the base : 

 the one which is in the centre is the pistil, and the six situated 

 around it are Ihe stamens. The narcissus, tulip, lily of the valley, 

 snow drop, and hyacinth, will also be found to have six stamens and 

 one pistil : the primrose, cowslip, and convolvulus, five stamens and 

 one pistil: the gelder-rose, French tamarisk, and common elder, five 

 stamens and three pistils : the common wood-sorrel, corn cockle, and 

 ragged robin, ten stamens and/Sve pistils ; and so on with other plants. 



20. The pistil is divided into three paits ; the germen, 

 the style, and the stigmn. 



21. The gemcn, or ovary, is the lowest part of the pis- 

 til, supporting the style and the stigma, and containing 

 the rudiments of the future seed. 



