

PISTILS. 55 



bursts. Each grain of the pollen is commonly a membra- 

 nous bag, round or angular, rough or smooth, which re- 

 mains entire till it meets with moisture, being contrary 

 in this respect to the nature of the anther ; then it burst 

 with great force, discharging a most subtle vapour. 



Observation. The stamens are changed to petals in double 

 flowers, and^rendered useless, as in Piony. They are often oblit- 

 erated by excessive nourishment, as in the Snow-ball or Guelder 

 Rose, Viburnum Opulus. 



IV. Pistils. 



PISTILS, (pistUla.) These are situated within the 

 stamens in the centre of the flower. Like the stamens 

 they vary in number in different flowers from one, to 

 hundreds. 



Each pistil, PL 12, fig. 4, consists of three parts. 



1. GERMEN, (germen) c 9 the rudiment of the fruit 

 and seed. 



Observation* The Germen is termed 



SUPF.RIOUR, (superum) when it is above the calyx and corolla, 

 as in the Strawberry and Raspberry. 



INFERIOUR, (jnferum) when it is below them, as in the Apple and 

 Pear. The situation of the calyx and corolla is the opposite of that 

 of the germen, being INFERIOUR when the germen is SVPERIOUR, and 

 when it is INFERIOUR. 



2. STYLE, (stylus) b. This is often wanting, and 

 serves merely to elevate the third part, the stigma. 



3. STIGMA, (stigma) a, the top of the pistil which 

 receives the pollen from the anthers. 



This is always present. Its shape is various, either 

 simple, scarcely more than a point; or capitate, forming 

 a little round head ; or variously lobed. Sometimes 

 hollow and gaping, more especially when the flower is 

 in its highest perfection, very generally downy, and 

 always more or less moist, with a peculiar viscid fluid, 

 which in some plants is so copious as to form a large 

 drop, though never big enough to fall to the ground. 



