184 ALTERATION OF POSITION. 
filaments were involute or circinate, just as the ordinary 
stamens are in the unexpanded flower-bud. In some 
cases imperfect stamens were found, mere barren fila- 
ments, with or without rudimentary anthers at the 
top. In no instance was there a perfect ovule, or, 
indeed, any. trace of ovules. ‘The stamens appeared to 
be arranged irregularly on the walls of the ovarian 
cavity ; and while they were certainly more numerous 
at the lower portion (that now generally considered to 
be formed by the cup-like end of the pedicel), they 
were not wanting in the upper half of the ovary (or 
that which is probably formed from the carpellary 
leaves). 
This case differs from most that have been recorded, 
and in which there has been a more or less complete 
substitution of anther for carpel, or where the tissues 
of the carpel have produced pollen, and so taken upon 
themselves the appearance and functions of anthers. 
Instances of this latter kind are not uncommon; but 
in the Bechkea there were perfect stamens proceeding 

Fic. 98.—1. Vertical section of flower of Beckea diosmefolia, showing. 
stamens within the ovary ; magnified ten times. 2. Transverse section of 
ovary. 3. Stamen. 4. Imperfect stamen. 

