GLOSSARY OF BOTANICAL TERMS 167 



These cells open when ripe to discharge their 

 Pollen. 



The anther is the essential part of the 

 stamen, which may be sessile (having no fila- 

 ment) and yet be perfect. The length or ab- 

 sence of the filament is always in accordance 

 with the requirements of particular plants, and 

 anthers open in various ways for the same 

 reason. Examples of Stamens: (69, A, B and 



c) 



Stamens having no anthers and anthers con- 

 taining no pollen are said to be barren. (For 

 the explanation of Pollen see Fertilization.) 



THE PISTIL. 



The Pistil is the fourth and inner whorl and 

 the female, or seed-bearing, organ of flowering 

 plants. 



Some plants have a single pistil. (70) 



In other plants the term pistil is used col- 

 lectively of a number of Carpels. (71) 



Some botanists call each carpel a pistil. 



A Pistil or a Carpel consists of three parts, 

 the Stigma, Style., and Ovary. (72) 



