THU STAMENS 



145 



it is made up of the union of two or more simple 

 pistils. 



159a. Thus the hepatica has one carpel, the tulip has three, the 

 mustard has two, the catnip has two 2-lobed carpels, the apple has 

 five, and even the unilocular cockle (Fig. 143) is thought to be 

 5-earpelled because of the five styles (two being cut away in the 

 figure) and of certain peculiarities in related plants; — that is, there 

 is evidence that some plants which were once 5-loculed are now 

 1-loeuled because of the loss of partitions ; and sometimes this 

 elision can be traced in the different ovaries of a single plant. 



1596. A flower, therefore, may contain one simple pistil, several 

 simple pistils, or one compound pistil; and there are instances in 

 which it contains more than one compound pistil. 



Suggestions. — When taking up any unfamiliar flower, look first 

 for the pistil. The ovary is the best distinguishing mark, for the 

 pistil ' is often much disguised. Determine what relation exists 

 between the numbers of stigmas, styles, or loeules in any pistil. 

 Also observe the number of ovules, and the placentse. 



XXVI. THE STAMENS 



160. The most striking feature of the stamens 

 in the flowers which we have seen 

 is the great difference in length and 

 shape. Most of the stamens are slen- 

 der, and have prominent stalks or 

 filaments ; but the anthers of the 

 currant (Fig. 146) are nearly sessile, 

 and in some flowers they are com- 

 pletely sessile. It is, therefore, 



Fig. 146. 



Flower of garden 

 currant. 



