THE FLOWER OF THE HIGHER SEED-PLANTS 153 
really or apparently more or less united to each other. In 
Fig. 109 the stamens have arisen separately, but finally 
become joined together by their anthers 
(as is always the case in the family 
Composite). In other cases the stamens 
appear united when they are not really 
so because they are borne on a ring or 
tube of tissue, as already explained in 
connection with the perianth (Sect. 180). 
Without regard to whether the union 
is real or apparent, stamens which occur 
N 
Fic. 109. Stamens of 
a Thistle, with An- 
thers united into a 
Ring. 
a, united anthers; 
J, filaments, bearded 
on the sides. 
in a single group 
(the filaments appear- 
3 oe ‘ Fic. 108. Parts of 
ing joined) are said 4 Stanen, 
to be monadelphous 4, tront; B, back. a, 
(Fig. 110), in two anther; c,connect- 
ive; f, filament. 
groups diadelphous 
(Fig. 111), in many groups polyadelphous © 
(the terms meaning one brotherhood, 
two brotherhoods, many brotherhoods). 
182. The Carpel.— The simplest form 
of the organ which bears the structures 
called ovules that are to mature into 
seeds is known_as the carpel. 
In the lowest of the two great groups 
of seed-plants, the gymnosperms (mean- 
ing naked seeds), to which the pines, 
spruces, cedars, and the like belong, the 
ovules are borne exposed on the surface 
of the carpel, which usually has the form 
of a scale. But in the higher group of seed-plants, the 
angiosperms (meaning seeds in a vessel) the carpels develop 
