PHYTOGENY. 243 



inverse relation with the corolla. In the case of a larger- 

 sized petal the filament is small, and, on the contrary, 

 larger in opposite parts of the corolla. 



ANTHERS. 



1268. The corolla obtains its last function in the pro- 

 duction of the highest electrical bodies, which it exhales 

 as sweet odours. ^Etherial oils ascend out of the corolla 

 into the air. 



1269. The filament, as a leaf-rib that has become 

 free, is a moribund ramuscular extremity, which still 

 strives, according to the law of pinnation, to produce three 

 buds, whereof, however, the terminal one is in gene- 

 ral arrested, and the two lateral scarce attain unto 

 apertion. 



1270. The two lateral buds of the filaments are the 

 Anthers. They mostly open in a spathose manner, 

 because they have not strength enough to develop them- 

 selves as perfect gemmae or buds. 



1271. The anthers are to be regarded as follicles, which 

 mostly rupture upon the dorsal or external aspect. 



1272. The starch-flour, which forms the precipitate 

 termed albumen in the seed, here obtains in the light- 

 organ electrical properties, and is called pollen. 



1273. The pollen has a light-function in the plant. 



1274. The function of the pollen must be differencing, 

 thus vivifying and secernent. 



1275. The principal antagonism of the pollen is with 

 the pistil, upon which it must therefore act in a properly 

 differencing manner. The pollen does not hang, like the 

 seed, by a stalk or pedicle to the wall of the anther, 

 but is exudated from it like chemical bodies. It is 

 nevertheless a vesicle, like all organic parts. This 

 vesicle consists of two membranes, and contains yet 

 smaller vesicles, which are called fovitta or pollen -viscus. 

 When the pollen comes into contact with the moist sur- 

 face of the stigma, its external membrane ruptures, and 

 the internal with its contained fovilla protruding in the 

 form of a tube, penetrates the style in many instances 



