THE NETTLE TRIBE. 149 



which would if they were stiff enough. At the base 

 of each leaf is a pair of shrivelled brownish sti- 

 pules. 



The flowers of this plant are of three sorts, those 

 which have stamens only, those which have stamens 

 and a pistil, and those which have a pistil only. As 

 the first and second are constructed alike, let us 

 consider them as essentially the same ; especially as 

 their pistil is seldom perfect. To each of these flowers 

 there is a calyx with four hairy divisions {Jig. 2 &; 3.) ; 

 opposite to each division is a stamen ; and in the centre 

 is a pistil more or less imperfect. The filaments are 

 worthv of examination ; their lower end is firm, 

 smooth and fleshy ; but it abruptly alters to a 

 withered shrivelled part, so dissimilar in aspect that 

 you would think it must be a distinct organ. Before 

 the flower opens the shrivelled part is pressed do\\Ti 

 by the segments of the calyx, which are finally forced 

 asunder by the filaments with force, so that the 

 flower opens with some degree of elasticity ; a pro- 

 vision, in all probability, to secure the scattering 

 of the pollen, by which the distant pistils may be 

 reached. 



The flowers that contain the pistils are mixed 

 among the others, and like them consist of a calyx 

 with four divisions ; but as this contains no stamens, 

 its figure is not roundish, but sharp-pointed, like 

 that of the ovarv, to the surface of which it is closely 

 applied. The pistil consists of one ovar}' containing 

 a single seed {fi(]. 7'.), of a thread-like style, and of 

 a pin-headed stigma, the little fringes of which 



