g , 
a 
108 The Botanical Gazette. (March, 
The stamens are usually seven, and are at first declined. They rise 
one by one as they mature, and, if we are looking at the right time, we 
can see the anther of astamen that has just risen split suddenly and 
become covered with pollen. When this takes place, the antherstants 
directly in the path to the nectar. : 
If we number the stamens, beginning at the upper right hand ste 
men and continuing in the direction of the hands of a clock, and then 
watch the order in which the anthers mature, we shall find that it isa 
one of the two following series, 3, 5, 4, 7, 2,6, 1 OF 5, 3, 4 1, 64> 
One these series is the reverse of the other, for if we count in the firs 
instance from right to left, beginning at the upper stamen on the right 
side of the flower, and in the second case from left to right, beginning 
at the upper left hand stamen the series of numbers will be the same 
We can explain this by regarding the stamens as formed from pi” 
condensed cycles of staminate leaves, arranged on the two-fifths pla 
with the three upper stamens belonging to the first cycle suppresses 
leaving no. 3 and 5 only of this cycle of stamens, while the othe 
five belong to the second cycle. On this hypothesis, the ordet Mg 
dehiscence follows the two-fifths plan, as any one may easily study ot 
for himself. Normally, the stamens of the second cycle Wom 
stand in front of those of the first cycle, but the rule followed “7 
be that the stamens arise where there is most room in the flower : 
and cause the cycles to alternate. 
fact relating to this theoretical explanation. 
and 5 always mature about the same time and some hours before !* 
which then follow each other closely. Might this be becaus? ee 
belong to the outer cycle of which two succeeding members 4°" 
pressed? a: 
It is very clear that a bee entering the flower would brush 
the stamens and become dusted with pollen, and would leavé pee 
pollen on the style of the next pistillate flower visited, for ihe 
curves upward and stands in exactly the same relation to the pa 
the nectar as do the stamens. I believe the flowers, howeveh © 
self-fertile. The honey-bees have a wicked way of. crawling # 
ae the flower and stealing the nectar, but the humble-bees . 
to visit the flower always in the proper way. 
A very interesting adaptation in the horsechestnut is the Pf 
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