MALE ORGANS. 45 



XI. MALE ORGANS. 



348. The whorl of organs immediately within the petals, is 

 composed of bodies called stamens, which are considered the 

 male apparatus of plants, and constitute the Andrceceum. 



349. They consist of a bundle of spiral vessels surrounded 

 by cellular tissue, called t\i& filament, terminated by a peculiar 

 arrangement of the cellular tissue, in a case, finally opening 

 and discharging its contents, called the anther. 



350. There are many instances in which no limits can be 

 traced between the petals and stamens ; Ex. Nymphsea. 



351. In such cases it is found that the limb (341) of the 

 petal contracts, and becomes an anther, while the unguis 

 assumes the state of a filament. 



352. Now as there are no limits between the petals and 

 sepals (327), nor between the sepals and bracts (323), nor 

 between the bracts and leaves (274), it follows that the sta- 

 mens are also a modification of leaves. 



353. And as the limb of a petal is analogous to the lamina, 

 and the unguis (341) to the petiole of a leaf, it also follows 

 that the anther is a modification of the lamina, and the fila- 

 ment of the petiole. 



354. The stamens follow the same laws of successive de- 

 velopement as leaves ; and, consequently, if their arrangement 

 be normal, they will be either equal in number to the petals, 

 and alternate with them, or, if more numerous, some regular 

 multiple of the petals. 



355. If they are twice the number of petals, two whorls are 

 considered to be developed ; and so on. 



356. If they are equal in number to the petals, and oppo- 

 site them, it is to be understood that the innermost only of 

 two whorls is developed, the outermost being abortive. 



357. All deviations from these laws are owing to the abor- 

 tion of some part of the stamens ; Ex. Lamium, Hippuris. 



358. When the stamens do not contract any union with 

 the sides of the calyx, they are hypogynous" ; Ex. Ranun- 

 culus. 



359. When they contract adhesion with the sides of the 

 calyx, they become perigynous ; Ex. Rose 177 . 



