CHANGE OF POSITION OF ANTHERS AND STIGMAS. 



305 



seventh group as shown by the Nightshade (Atropa), Scopolia, Henbane {Hyos- 

 cywrnus) and the Mandrake (Mandragora) has been already described on p. 278 

 and illustrated in figs. 279 * and 279 ^. In young blossoms the stigma stands in the 

 middle of the flowers, and the anthers lie against the walls of the corolla: in older 

 flowers the anthers stand in the middle, and the style becomes pressed against the 

 corolla. 



The shrubby species of Honeysuckle (Lonicera alpigena, nigra, and Xylosteum), 

 and the genus Scrophularia may be taken as examples of the eighth group. Their 

 flowers are horizontally placed. At first the straight style rises out of the centre 

 of the flower, and the stigma is held directly in the path leading to the honey. 



Fig. 289.— Change of Position of Anthers and Stigmas. 



I Inflorescence of the Red Valerian {Centranthus ruber). 2 a single flower of the Ked Valerian shortly after opening, s The 

 same flower at a later stage. * Inflorescence of Teucrium orientate. ^ Single flower of the same plant shortly after 

 opening. « The same flower at a later stage. 1 and * nat. size; ^, s, 6, and s somewhat magnified. 



The anthers are above the stigma in Lonicera, but in Scrophularia they are hidden 

 at the end of their arched filaments in the cavity of the pitcher-shaped corolla. 

 Later on the stigma is moved out of the path by the downward curvature or sharp 

 bending of the style, the anthers assuming the position occupied by the stigma by 

 means of a corresponding straightening and alteration of direction of their filaments. 

 The Hellebore (Helleborus), a type of the ninth group, has comparatively large 

 flowers with abundant honey. The honey is not in the centre of the flower, as in 

 the instances quoted above, but is secreted in cornet-shaped receptacles outside the 

 ring of stamens. Accordingly the honey-sucking insects do not go to the centre of 

 the flower but to the circumference, and this explains why the stigmas and anthers, 

 which are to be brushed by the insects, are arranged in a corresponding circle. 

 When the flower opens the styles radiate outwards, and are bent, so that the stigmas 

 stand over the honey receptacles. The anthers are crowded together in the middle 

 of the flower, and are not touched by the insect as it enters. Afterwards the styles 

 straighten and move towards the centre of the flower while the stamen-filaments 



Vol. II. 



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