300 TRANSFORMATION OF STAMENS. 



fully developed ; and here we lose all trace of the leafy ap- 

 pearance. 



461. Although the usual appearance of the stamens is such 

 as was formerly described, there are several flowers in which 

 they ordinarily have very broad expanded filaments ; and these 

 organs are subject to the same kind of transformation into the 

 leafy character, as are the portions of the calyx and corolla. The 

 transformation of stamens into petals, in fact, is extremely com- 

 mon ; it being generally in this manner that double flowers are 

 produced from single ones. In the wild Rose, for example, we 

 find but a single row of petals, surrounding a very large number 

 of stamens ; whilst in the cultivated Rose of gardens, there are 

 several rows of petals, and the number of stamens has propor- 

 tionally diminished. The Rose is a flower, which is very liable 

 to produce monstrosities or irregular growths ; and it is not 

 uncommon to find this transformation more complete, the sta- 

 mens, as well as the petals and sepals, being converted into true 

 leaves, so that the flower is entirely green. The same is often 

 the case with the Wood- Anemone. No further evidence then, 

 is required to prove, that the elements of the leaf and the stamen 

 must be the same (although their fully-developed forms are so 

 different) ; and that these elements may be developed into one 

 form or the other, according to circumstances, with which we are 

 as yet only in part acquainted. 



462. We now come to the Pistil, which occupies, as for- 

 merly stated, the centre of the flower. In considering its real 

 nature, it is always necessary to regard it as made up of a num- 

 ber of separate carpels (. 434), whether or not they can be com- 

 pletely distinguished ; just as the gamosepalous calyx and the 

 gamopetalous corolla are considered as formed, by the adhesion 

 of their several constituent portions. We have to examine, then, 

 what is the real character of each carpel ; and this is sometimes 

 manifested to us in a remarkable manner. When the carpels 

 are distinct, and are fully developed, they not unfrequently pre- 

 sent a very leafy appearance. Tfius, the pod of the Pea, when 

 opened, is seen not to differ essentially from what a leaf, with 

 its two edges rolled together, would be ; the prolongation of the 



