STAMENS 217 



3. In some genera the stamens are so numerous 

 that it is impossible to tell at a glance how many 

 there are, and the number probably is slightly dif- 

 ferent in different flowers. This is the case in the 

 Lotus and Water-lily (family NYMPH^ACE^:) in NARA- 

 VELIA and CLEMATIS, in MICHELIA, in POLYALTHIA, 

 CANANGA, and ANONA the Custard-apple (family 

 ANONACE.E) in PAPAVER the Poppy, and ARGEMONE 

 (family PAPAVERACE^E), in CRAT^EVA (figs. 10 and 

 18) and in many other species belonging to these and 

 other families. 



4. But in most cases the number is the same as 

 or double that of the petals or the sepals, or one or 

 two less, so that it is easily counted and is quite 

 definite. When the number is the same as that of 

 the petals or corolla lobes, the stamens stand usually 

 opposite the spaces between them opposite, that is, 

 to the sepals. This is the case, for instance, in IXORA, 

 VINCA, SOLANUM the Brinjal and Potato plants, and 

 a, host of other genera. 



We shall easily understand the advantage of this 

 arrangement if we consider that all the parts are 

 rather crowded together in the bud, and that there 

 will be more room in the spaces between the petals 

 than immediately above them. When the number 

 of stamens is double that of the petals, as in QUIS- 

 ^UALIS the Rangoon-creeper, they can be considered 

 as being, and as a rule obviously are, in two whorls, 

 of which the outer is opposite the sepals, the inner alter- 

 nating with them and opposite the petals. 



In a few families, however, the stamens are of the 

 same number as the petals and yet stand opposite 



