118 VEGETABLE ORGANOGRAPHY. 



i 



There is raised from the torus, between each of the five 

 stamens, a cylindrical filament, with three, five, seven, 

 or nine branches, according to the species, and each 

 branch is terminated by a globular nectariferous gland : 

 is this a simple form of nectary, or an indication of a 

 bundle of abortive stamens ? It is impossible to affirm 

 any thing upon this subject. 



The nectar secreted is sought after with avidity by 

 bees and most sucking insects, which feed upon it. In 

 endeavouring to reach it, it frequently happens that they 

 excite or shake the stamens, and cause or accelerate 

 fecundation ; it may also happen that these insects on 

 coming out of a male flower charged with pollen, bear 

 it either upon the female ones of the same species, which 

 they fecundate, or upon the flowers of analogous ones, 

 by which they cause cross fecundations. 



Section XVI. 



Comparison of Foliaceous and Petaloid Parts. 



We have seen, in describing the structure of each of 

 the floral organs, that the one kind resemble true leaves 

 in their intimate structure, their green colour, the pre- 

 sence of stomata, and the faculty of exhaling oxygen ; 

 such are the bracts, sepals, and most ovaries : the others 

 are of a more delicate tissue, adorned with various 

 colours, devoid of stomata, and incapable of exhaling 

 oxygen ; such are the petals, stamens, styles, and some 

 ovaries. It is necessary now to examine to what point 

 these limits are distinct. Let us first commence with the 



