ii6 



Elementary Botany 



The portion of the filament to which the anthers are attached 

 is called the connective. Usually this is not developed to a 

 noticeable degree, but in the Herb Paris it is prolonged beyond 

 the anthers, giving them the appearance of being placed half- 

 way down the stamen. 



In the Hornbeam the connective is divided into two equal 

 branches, each of which bears an anther lobe (fig. 216), whilst 

 in the Sage (fig. 217) the branches of the connective are un- 

 equal in length; the long one bears a perfect 

 anther lobe, whilst the short one has an 

 abortive anther, or one destitute of pollen. 



Fig. 215. — Stamen of 

 Wheat, with versatile 

 anther, 3, lightly fixed 

 at the extremity of the 

 tilament, a. 



Fig. 2i6. — Stamen of 

 Hornbeam (Carfi- 

 mts BeUilus), with 

 branching connec. 

 tive. 



Fig. 217.— Stamen of Salvia, 

 with connective branching into 

 two arms of veryunequal length, 

 the right-hand arm bearing an 

 abortive anther. 



The anther lobes are hollow, possessing cells or loculi, of 

 which there is generally one for each lobe, so that the anther is 

 two-celled or bilocular. In the early stage of its development 

 there are four cells, two in each lobe ; but generally the 

 partition between the loculi in each anther lobe is absorbed, 

 producing the bilocular anther. In some plants, as the Flower- 

 ing Rush, this division never disappears, and the anther remains 

 four-celled or quadrilocular through life. In some few plants, 

 as the Mallow and Milkwort, there is but one cell, and the 

 anther is then said to be unilocula-. 



The surface of the anther to which the connective is attached 

 is known as its back, whilst the other side is called the face. 

 This is generally grooved, showing the point of attachment 

 of the lobes. When the face is turned towards the pistil 

 the stamens are said to be introrse ; when towards the petals, 

 extrorse. 



