DEVBLOPMENT OF THE ANTHER. 49 



Again, in examining the stamens of the Ooniferse, Pinus, 

 Taxus, &c., we cannot fail to observe the general resemblance 

 they bear to the Sporangia of the hig-her Cryptogams and the 

 anther of the Angiosperms (See Diagram Vi). 



The similarity in the essential features of the development 

 of the anther to that of the Sporangium, is interesting from a 

 genetic point of view, as it contributes another link in the chain 

 of evidence which connects, through a long line of descent, the 

 flowering with the non-flowering — the higher with the lower 

 forms of vegetable organization. 



To summarise, the points in the structure and development 

 of the anther which I have endeavoured to elucidate are these : 



1. — The precedence in the early stages of the anther to the 



petal. 



2. — The later growth of the filaments. 



3. — The formation of the pollen sacs by intumescence. 

 4. — The substitution of the mesophyll of the leaf by pollen 

 cells. 



