60 



OBJECT LESSONS IN BOTANY. 



two hundred. Let us learn how to distinguish between 

 flowers with definite and with indefinite stamens. Definite, 

 when they are not more than ten, indefinite, when more than 

 ten, or not readily counted. 



107. The stamens are usually separate and distinct, as in 

 the Lily, Ehododendron, &c. (Figs. 150, 152), while in the 

 Mallow (Fig. 179), Pea, and other flowers, they grow together, 

 forming a tube around the pistil ; in other words, they are 

 rnonadelphous (Greek, monos, one, adelphos, brotherhood). 

 The Pea, or Dielytra, is diadelphous, — the stamens in two 

 sets ; and the St. Zdhnssffoxt, polyadelphous, — in three or more 

 sets. Another mode of cohesion is seen in the floret of Dan- 

 delion (Fig. 180), where the anthers cohere while the fila- 

 ments are distinct, i. e., syngenecious. 



108. In two cases we may definitely mark the relative 

 length of the stamens. Didyn' amous stamens (as seen in the 

 Mint tribe, and in the Figworts, Fig. 181) are four in num- 



Fig. 183. Pistillate flower of Balm of Gilead. 



Fig. 184. Staminate flower of the same. 



Fig. 185. Begonia: a, staminate flower; S, pistillate flower. 



107. Define "stamens monadelphous." Give examples. Diadelphous. 

 Give examples. Polyadelplioiis. Example. Define " stamens syngenecious.'' 

 Mention examples. 



