214 Tall Bearded Iris 



slit, which is indicated by the face of the lobe which 

 appears smooth prior to the maturity of the pollen 

 and more or less rough afterwards. This condition 

 occurs shortly after the tips of the falls begin to unfold. 

 Fig. LIV shows two stamens, greatly enlarged, from 

 different flowers on the same stem. The one on the 

 right (Fig. LIV, A) is from a bud that was just begin- 

 ning to unfold, and the other (Fig. LIV,B) from a 

 fully opened flower. Notice the smooth surface of 

 the former, and the face of the other covered more or 

 less by the escaping pollen-grains which give it a rough 

 appearance (like a piece of fine sand paper). A micro- 

 scope will make the matter clear. 



The stigma is mature (ready to receive the pollen) 

 when its stigmatic surface is in such condition that 

 when touched with pollen-grains they readily adhere 

 to it. At this time the stigmatic surface is covered 

 with papillae which give it a velvety appearance 

 which may easily be seen with a microscope. At 

 this time, in the case of a variety having a movable 

 lip on the style-branch (see page 215), the upper edge 

 of the lip drops and exposes its upper (the stigmatic) 

 surface. This condition occurs several hours after the 

 tips of the falls have begun to unroll when the 

 standards are partially expanded. Fig. LV. shows 

 two style-branches from different flowers on the same 

 stem. The one on the right is from a bud that was 

 just beginning to unfold, and the other from a fully 

 opened flower. On the former notice the lip standing 

 erect, pressing against the crests and concealing the 

 stigmatic surface (Fig. LV, A, i). On the other notice 



