SAXIFRAGAGEJE. 



395 



is often elongated ; it bears tufts of stamens, which have a usually 

 short thick filament, and a basifixed anther with two lateral cells. 

 There is no perianth, but only here and there a very little ring 

 around the base of the stamens. In the female flowers this is 

 usually more prominent, and less hesitation has been felt in describ- 



Liquidambar styraciflua. 



f 



■ '- 1 



1/M 



Fig. 471. 

 Flowering branch. 



ing it as the very short limb of a calyx. Inside are a variable 

 number of stamens, with short filaments and antherless, or with 

 sterile anthers, shorter than in the males. These may by accident 

 become fertile, rendering the flower polygamous.. Then the recep- 

 tacle is hollowed so much that the cavity is in great part sunk into 



