H SCROPHULARIACE^ — LABIATE 323 



ever, there are several differences, and Schulz describes 

 no less than seven forms of the flower. In any ease, 

 however, when the anthers first open they are behind 

 the stigma. The stamens are 4 in number, so that 

 there are 8 anthers (Fig. 210). The lower chambers 

 of the upper or outer anthers coalesce with the upper 

 chambers of the inner or lower anthers, and the two 

 upper are firmly connected. The lower surface of each 

 anther has a stiff pointed process. The two lower 

 points are distinctly longer than the upper ones and 

 project into the mouth of the flower, while the upper 

 ones end in a brush of hairs which prevent the pollen 

 from being scattered at the sides, so that they are sure 

 to be touched by the bee, which thus dislocates them, 

 the result of which is that some of the pollen drops on 

 to it. The plant is pubescent, and more or less glan- 

 dular, especially near the summit. 



LABIATE 



Herbs, or rarely shrubs, with quadrangular stems 

 and opposite leaves.^ Flowers generally protandrous. 

 Corolla tubular, generally forming two lips. Stamens, 

 probably for the reason already suggested (see p. 313), 

 4 or sometimes 2. Nectar secreted at the base of 

 the ovary. Fruit enclosed in the persistent calyx, 

 separating into 4 one- seeded, seed -like nuts. The 

 upper lip of the corolla protects the anthers and stigma, 

 and the lower lip forms a convenient alighting stage for 

 insects. The corolla-tube often assumes the curve con- 

 venient for the proboscis of a humble bee. The flowers 

 often vary in size, soriietimes even on the same plant. 

 Sometimes there are two distinct forms, sometimes two 



' I have attempted to show (Brit. Assoc. Cambridge, 1904) that it is an 

 advantage for herbs with opposite leaves to have quadrangular stems, and that 

 the two generally go together. 



