THE STRUCTURE OF THE FLOWER 



329 



shape, giving an irregular flower, which is symmetrical about 

 one plane only namely, that seen in the figure. There are ten 

 stamens, nine of which are united, while one remains free, and 



FIG. XXVII. The Flower of a Pea (natural order Leguminosse). 

 thus the androecium is di-adelphous. The result of one stamen 

 being free is to leave a slit in the tube formed by the filaments, 

 through which the insect visitor can pass its proboscis when 



FIG. XXVIII. The Flower of a Saxifrage (natural order Saxifragaceee). 

 seeking for honey. The gynocceum, as we have already mentioned, 

 is monocarpellary (see also p. 252). 



