148 COMPOUND ORGANS OP PLANTS. 



the form of the cells of the anther which serves as a kind of 

 mould. The name pollinia has been given to these agglomera- 

 tions. It is only in the family of Orchidaceae amongst 

 Monocotyledons, and that of Asclepiadacae in Dicotyledons 

 that we observe solid pollen. 



In orchideous plants each of the pollen masses is supported 

 on a stalk called a caudicle (cauda a tail), which carries at its 

 extremity a glandular body called a retinacula (retinaculum a 

 band or rein), by means of which it is attached to the stigma. 

 These masses when bruised divide into grains which are 

 agglutinated together in fours. 



Fig. 52. 



Fig. 52. a. Represents one of these pollen masses, with its caudicle. &. The reti- 

 nacula. c. Some of the grains separated from a similar mass to show the nature of 

 their agglomeration. 



CHAPTEE XII. 



THE GYMNCECIUM OB PISTILLINE ORGANS. 







THE pistil occupies the centre of the flower and terminates 

 the axis of growth. The pistils constitute collectively the 

 Gymno3cium (yw*i pistil, and oixlov habitation,) or female 

 sexual organs of the plant. 



