ESSENTIAL ORGANS — STAMENS. 



225 



the connective is expanded laterally, so as to unite the bases of the 

 antherine lobes, and bring them into a horizontal line. 



Fig. 372. 



Pig. 373. Fig. 374. 



Fig. 376. 



The opening of the anthers to discharge their contents is denomi- 

 nated dehiscence (dehisco, I open). This takes place either by clefts, by 

 hinges, or by pores. When the anther-lobes are 

 erect, the cleft takes place lengthwise along the 

 line of the suture, constituting longitudinal de- 

 hiscence (figs. 354, 361, 374). At other times, 

 the slit takes place in a horizontal manner, from 

 the connective to the ' side, as in Alchemilla 

 arvensis, and in Lemna, where the dehiscence is 

 transverse. When the anther-lobes are rendered 

 horizontal by the enlargement of the connective 

 (figs. 360, 376, aq), then what is really longi- 

 tudinal dehiscence may appear to be transverse. 

 In other cases (fig. 376 ag), when the lobes are 

 united at the base, the fissure in each of them ^'^- ^^^■ 



may be continuous, and the two lobes may appear as one. 



The cleft does not always proceed the whole length of the anther- 

 lobe at once, but often for a time it extends only partially (figs. 375, 2 ; 

 370). In other instances the opening is confined to the base or 

 apex, each loculament (loculus) opening by a single pore, as in Pyrola 

 (fig. 372), Vaccinium (fig. 367), also in Solanum, where there are 



Fig. 372. Pendulous Antlier, I, of Pyrola rotuncUfolia. The Anther is suspended from 

 the summit of the filament, /, and opens at its apex by two pores, p. Fig. 373. Anther 



of Humiria balsamifera. 1 1, Anther lobes. /, Filament, ciliated or fringed with glandular 

 teeth, c. Conical appendage, which seems to be a prolongation of the connective. 

 Pig. 374. Anther of Byrsonima bioorniculata. /, Filament. I, Anther-lobes. The empty 

 lobes at the summit are detached, in the form of two small hoi-n-like projections, c, A 

 linguiform or tongue-like appendage prolonged from the connective. Fig, 375. Sessile 



anther of Viola odorata, or sweet violet. 1, Seen in front. 2, Seen behind. I, Anther-lobes, 

 o, Spur-like appendage from the connective, c. Membranous expansion at the apex of 

 anther-lobes. Pig. 376, Corolla of Digitalis purpurea, cut in order 'to show the didyna- 

 mous stamens (two long and two short) which are attached to it. t, Tube. /, Filaments 

 which are united to the corolla at », and run alohg its inner surface, having formed a marked 

 adhesion.' ag, Anthers of the long stamens, ag. Anthers of the short stamens. 



