112 FLO IVER- LAND. 



calyx and corolla, the stamens and the pistil. If you 

 remember this you will not think it so strange when 

 you see a double flower in which the stamen leaves, 

 or some of them, have grown more like the leaves of 

 the corolla. 



But now we can pass on to the stamens.* 

 Gather a buttercup flower again, one that is newly 

 opened, and place one or two of the stamens upon 

 the palm of your hand. The dust bags of the 

 stamens (p. 9) are made by the blades of the stamen 

 leaves being folded or curled, and each 

 dust bag is called an anther ; t and the 

 little stalk which supports it is called a 

 fi lament \ (Fig. 95). The anther is very 

 beautiful to look at under the microscope ; 

 and there are not only different shapes and 



colours of anthers, but the different 



, Fig.95.-A Sta- 



ways in which they open as they ripen, men . a, the 



so as to let out the dust which is in ^^nt.^ 

 them, are very wonderful. But more 

 wonderful is the dust itself. It is called pollen. 

 It is not only wonderful in its different shapes and 

 markings, although it is so small, but wonderful 

 for its use. The pollen has a great deal to do 



* From the Greek " sfemon" the warp in the upright loom ; from 

 " histemi" I stand. 



f From the Greek " aitfheros" flowering, because it belongs to the 

 flower. 



+ From the Latin "filum" a thread. 



From the Latin "pollen" fine flour, or the dust that flies in the mill. 



