142 Tall Bearded Iris 



from the ovary through the perianth-tube (Fig. XX, 4, 

 page 130) and at the top of the tube divides into 

 three petal-like branches commonly referred to as 

 "style-branches" or "stylar branches" (Fig. XX, 8, 

 page 130 and Fig. LV). These branches are some- 

 times referred to as "stigmas" but "stigma", in the 

 narrowest sense, means only the stigmatic surface of 

 a style-branch (Fig. XX, 9, page 130 and Fig. LVI, st). 

 In a few varieties — as, Eldorado (Fig. XX, 8, page 

 130) — these style-branches are so conspicuous from 

 their size and color as to give the flower the appear- 

 ance of being semi-double. See further, about pistil, 

 under Stamen in this chapter. Process of Pollination 

 in Chapter X. 



Stamen. — As just stated, the flower has, in the 

 usual sense, but one pistil (compound), but it has 

 three stamens — each consisting of filament and anther 

 (Fig. XX, 6 and 7, page 130) — and it is this fact 

 that is referred to in "The Botanic Garden": 



The freckled Iris owns a fiercer flame 



And three unjealous husbands wed the dame. 



Darwin: Loves of the Flowers. 



The arrangement of the pistil and stamens, for 

 cross-pollination, is one of the most wonderful in the 



