346 ANTHER OF CRYPTOCORYNE. [BOOK i. 



Berberids, &c., and is analogous to the disarticulation of the 

 valves of Cruciferous plants. 



A very singular deviation from the usual structure of the 

 anther occurs in Cryptocoryne ciliata, an Arad, thus described 

 by the late Mr. Griffith : 



" The anthers may,, from a very early period, be compared 

 to two cups joined together by their contiguous margins ; the 

 wide and open mouth which they present in their mature 

 state, being closed up originally by an extremely fine mem- 

 brane, lining the cavity of the cup and forming a convexity 

 where it closes in the opening. Within the cavity thus 

 formed the pollen is developed. As the anther increases in 

 size this membrane gradually assumes the form of a cone, 

 which projects in proportion as it increases beyond the mar- 

 gins of the cups or thecae. At the same time it assumes a 

 yellow tint, by which, chiefly, I am led to think that it lines 

 the entire cavities of the thecse. The cellular tissue of the 

 thecse consists of a cutis, which is papillose on the margins 

 of the cup, and an inner series of ovate cells arranged with 

 their long diameters pointing from the ^axis. On the mem- 

 brane of these cells very distinct fibres are developed, which 

 almost always have the same direction with the cells. These 

 fibres cross each other at very acute angles, and appear to be 

 incomplete at either end of the cell, in which they are deve- 

 loped. The cone soon becomes more subulate, it remains 

 closed, and is of a yellowish tint. The anthers appear to be 

 fully formed at a time when the spadix is only half developed. 

 At a later period the apex of the cone is open, and through 

 this opening the contents of the thecse may be squeezed, 

 assuming, from the comparatively small diameter of the apex 

 of the cone, a more or less elongated form. In the instance 

 figured, the length to which they attained was immense. The 

 matter squeezed out resembles exactly the process which 

 originates from most globules of pollen, when acted on by 

 water, and the very great length above noticed, arose probably 

 from the coalition of the processes of several granules occa- 

 sioned by the pressure exerted." (Linnaean Transactions, 

 vol. xx.) 



The cells of the anther have frequently little appendages, 



