78 AUSTRALASIAN 



The anthers are shown in the next figure, but on an enlarged 

 scale. 



Fig. 25, -STAMENS AND ANTHERS. 



The anther cells, instead of being close together, are at the 

 two ends of a long connective, which is attached by a sort of 

 pivot joint at about one-third of its length to the stalk of the 

 stamen. The lower anther cells contain very little pollen, 

 sometimes none at all, while the upper ones are fully developed 

 as shown in the figure. When the bee thrusts its head into 

 the tube, it presses against the lower cells and pushes them 

 back; the connectives revolve on their axis, and the upper 

 anther cells are brought down on the bee's back, the hairs of 

 which brush off the pollen which the bee carries away, and as 

 soon as it meets with an older blossom, in which the pistil is 

 fully developed as seen in the next figure, it is evident that 



Fig. 26.— SALVIA OFFICINALIS. 

 Older ttower, with pistil developed. 



upon enteringthe tube of this blossom, the pollen already on 

 the bee's back must be rubbed against the stigma, and the 

 cross-fertilization be thus effected. 



