ESSENTIAL ORGANS. STAMENS. 



195 



and two below, as in Persea gratissima (fig. 325 I I). In general, 

 however, only two cavities remain in the anther, in consequence of the 

 more or less complete removal of the septum, in which case the anther 

 is said to be bilocular (bis, twice), or dithecal (3i?, twice), as seen in 

 figs. 322, 326. Sometimes the anther has a single cavity, and becomes 

 unilocular (unus, one), or morwthecal (pottos, one), by the abortion of 



one of its lobes, as in Styphelia Ia3ta (fig. 327), and Althaea officinalis 

 (fig. 328). Occasionally, there are numerous cavities in the anther, as 

 in Viscum and Eafflesia. The number of loculi or cavities is only seen 

 when the anther opens. 



406. The form of the anther-lobes varies. They are generally of 

 a more or less oval or elliptical form (figs. 322, 329 I). Sometimes 

 they are globular, as in Mercurialis annua (fig. 326) ; at other times 

 linear or clavate (fig. 330), curved (fig. 331), flexuose, sinuose, or 

 anfractuose (anfractus, winding), as in Bryony and Gourd (fig. 332). 

 The lobes of the anther are sometimes in contact throughout their 

 whole length (fig. 329), at other times they are separate (figs. 326, 

 333). In the former case their extremities may be rounded, forming 

 a cordate anther (fig. 322), or the apex may be acute (figs. 312, 



Fig. 323 Quadrilocular anther, /, of Poranthera, attached to the filament,/, and opening at 

 the summit by four pores, p. 



Fig. 324. Quadrilocular anther of Terratheca juncea. 1. The anther entire, with its four 

 loculaments ending in one opening. 2. Anther cut transversely, showing the four loculaments. 



Fig. 325. Anther of Persea gratissima, composed of four cavities or loculaments, / /, united 

 in pairs, one above the other, and opening each by a valve, v. At the base of the filament, /, 

 are two glands, g g, which seem to be abortive stamens. 



Fig. 326. Pendulous anther lobes, I f, of Mercurialis annua, supported on the filament, /, and 

 united by the connective, c. 



Fig. 327. Unilocular or monothecal anther of Styphelia ijBta, one of the Epacridacese, seen in 

 front, ', and behind, ". /, Filament /, Anther. 



Fig. 328. Unilocular anther of Althasa officinalis, or Marsh mallow. One of the lobes of the 

 anther, Z, abortive. /, Filament 



