28 INTRODUCTION. 



Connate or United, when several filaments adhere together. 

 Incurved, bent towards each other. 

 Ttecurved, bent outwards. 



Equal, when all are of equal length ; and Unequal, when some 

 are longer than the others. 



2. The Anther (Fig. 133, b.) is a hollow cellular body, con- 

 taining a quantity of pollen or dust. It is commonly oblong, 

 but varies greatly in form, being linear, globular, kidney-shaped, 

 arrow-shaped, &c. It may also be cleft at the extremities, awned, 

 one-celled, two-celled, &c. 



Connate, when several grow together, forming a tube. 

 Erect (Fig. 133.), when it stands with its base straight on the 

 point of the filament. 



Incumbent (Fig. 134.), lying across the top of the filament. 

 Lateral (Fig. 135.), attached by its side. 

 Sessile, destitute of filament. 



3. The Pollen or Dust, is contained in the anther. At a cer- 

 tain stage of vegetation, the anther bursts, and the pollen is scat- 

 tered around. Some of the grains adhere to the stigma, or summit 

 of the pistil, in consequence of which the young seeds begin to 

 enlarge, and are rendered capable of giving rise to new plants. This 

 action of the pollen is termed Fecundation or Impregnation. With- 

 out it the seeds would either not enlarge, or when full-grown 

 would be incapable of germinating. 



V. Of the Pistils. 



The Pistil (Fig. 136.) is also an essential part of the flower, 

 occupying its centre. It consists of three parts, the germen, the 

 style, and the stigma. 



1. The Germen or Ovary (Fig. 136, a.) is the undermost 

 part of the pistil, and is the rudiment of the fruit. The number 

 of germens varies, like that of the stamens. It is also of various 

 forms : egg-shaped, globular, elliptical, &c. It may also be 



Superior, when situated above the corolla or calyx. 



Inferior, when situated below these parts, or rather when these 

 parts adhere to its sides, so as to be incorporated with it, and not 

 to separate until they have reached its summit. 



Sessile, when destitute of a stalk; or Stalked, when supported 

 upon one. 



2. The Style (Fig. 136, 6.) is a small stalk, seated upon the 

 germen, and terminated by the stigma. It miy be hair-like, 

 thread-shaped, awl-shaped, &c. 



