STAMENS. 



73 



Fig. 116. 



Fig. 117. 



Raceme. 



Panicle. 



If the secondary axes develop tertiary ones, a panicle is 

 formed (Fig. 117), as in the Poa. The term deliquescent 

 panicle is applied to that variety of the panicle, when the 

 rachis is iost in its irregular divisions, and does not continue 

 direct through the inflorescence. The ramification of the axes 

 may proceed further, forming compound panicles. A very 

 dense panicle, with the lower branches shorter than the middle 

 ones, is called a thyrsus, as in the Lilac. 



Stamens. 



117. Immediately within the corolla are situated a row of 

 organs called stamens. The stamens, like the calyx and corolla, 

 are modifications of leaves. They usually consist of three 

 parts — filament, anther, and pollen. The filament is the 

 thread-like organ whi^h supports the anther. (Fig. 118, 6.) 

 This is not necessary to the functions of the sta- F ig. us. 

 mens any more than a petiole is necessary to a 

 leaf. The anther is the knob, usually yellow or 

 brown, situated on the summit of the filament 

 (Fig. 118, a); or if the filament be absent, it sits 

 upon the receptacle. The pollen is the yellow 

 dust-like substance contained within the anther, 

 and is necessary in the vegetable economy to the 

 perfection of the seed. 



118. The arrangement of the stamens is usually alternate 

 with the petals or their segments, and of course opposite those 



A panicle ? A deliquescent panicle ? A thyrsus ? — 117. Where are the 

 stamens bituate J ? Of how many parts does 'each consist ? What is the 

 filament? What is the anther ? The pollen ? — 118. What is the arrange- 

 ment of stamens ? 



