148 THE VEGETABLE WORLD. 
matter. In Plantanthera chloranta, and Asclepias floribunda, 
the masses of pollen show the arrangement as represented by 
Figs. 204 and 205. 
The number of stamens in each flower varies according to the 
Fig. 203.—Pollen Mass + ~ Fig. 204.—P Fig. 205.—Pollen Mass 
in Orchis maculata. five Meera of Ancheeliad floribunda. 
species. When they are arranged in whorls, they are generally 
definite in number, as in the Vine (Fig. 206), and the Primrose, 
which have five. When they are 
in a spiral, they are usually very 
numerous, as in the Magnolia and 
the Ranunculus. 
Stamens may be all of the same 
height, as we see in the Lily, Tulip, 
and Barrage, or else very unequal. 
In the Geranium, there are five 
Hig, 206—Androceum Stamens of the Vine. stamens bigger than the others, 
which are also five in number. In the Wallflower (Fig. 207), 
which has six stamens, four are bigger than the others; Linnxus 
called these tetradynamous. In the Snap-dragon (Fig. 208), there 
are four stamens, two of which are larger than the others; Linnzus 
called them didynamous stamens. 
The stamens of the same flower may be completely independent 
one of the other, or more or less united either by their filaments 
or by their anthers. In the Mallow (Fig. 209), and in the Flax 
plant, all the stamens are united to each other by their filaments 
in a single bundle. In the French Bean, and the Milk-worts, they 
