THE FLOWERS AND FRUIT. 25 



The Corolla is called regular, when its general form is uni- 

 form, as in Fig. 127, 126, 117 ; irregular, when this is not the 

 case, as in Fig. 123, 124. An equal corolla is regular, and has 

 its divisions all of one size, as in Fig. 117, 120. 



III. Of the Nectary. 



The Nectary is that part of the flower which contains or 

 secretes honey. In monopetalous flowers, this part is the tube 

 of the corolla. Sometimes it is a production of the corolla, and 

 sometimes of the calyx. In other cases it is a part distinct from 

 either. The following kinds may be mentioned : 



The Spur (Fig. 132.) is a horn-shaped production of the 

 corolla. 



Scales, on the petals. 



Pores, or small holes, which occur on various parts of the 

 flower. 



Glands, or soft roundish bodies. 



IV. Of the Stamens. 



The Stamens are essential parts of the flower, consisting each 

 of a bag filled with a kind of powder, generally supported upon 

 a stalk. There are thus distinguished three parts in the stamen : 

 the filament, the anther, and the pollen. 



1. The Filament (Fig. 133, a.) is a longish body destined 

 for the support of the anther. It varies greatly in form, 

 being 



Hair-like or Capillary, of equal thickness throughout, and 

 as fine as a hair. 



Thread-like or Filiform, thicker than a hair. 



Awl-shaped or Subulate, thicker below than above. 



Dilated, compressed and expanded on the sides. 



Connate or United, when several filaments adhere together. 



Incurved, bent towards each other. 



Recurved, bent outwards. 



Equal, when all are of equal length ; and Unequal, when 

 some are longer than the others. 



2. The Anther (Fig. 133, b.) is a hollow cellular body, con- 

 taining a quantity of pollen or dust. It is commonly oblong, 

 but varies greatly in form, being linear, globular, kidney-shaped, 

 arrow-shaped, &c. It may also be cleft at the extremities, 

 awned, one-celled, two-celled, &c. 



Connate, when several grow together, forming a tube. 

 C 2 



