: : ‘ ’ “ 
_. structure, of a leaf-like or glandular nature, are ther. 
The External Form of Plants. — T4I 
355, p- 183), they are united into a waxy mass [or follenzum|,. 
On the maturity of the anthers, they burst open or dehisce in 
a manner which is well defined beforehand. This usually 
takes place by means of a longitudinal fissure in each 
anther-lobe (Fig. 280), dongetudinal dehiscence, most often on 
the inner side of the anther, facing the pistil, zztrorse, less 
frequently on the outer side facing the corolla, 
extrorsé, as in Iridez, [or precisely at the side, 
lateral, as in Ranunculus|.. Less common modes 
of opening are the dehzscence by recurved valves, 
[when the side of the anther-lobe is turned back 
as on a hinge], as in Lerberts and Laurus (Figs. 
| 281, 283); and dy pores (Figs. 282, 284), as in 
the Ericacez, Polygala, Solanum, &c. ; [still less ,,. Bees 
frequent is the ¢ransverse dehiscence, as in Alche- men of Vaccini- 
um, with ap- | 
milia.| In some cases, appendages of a peculiar pendages at the 
base of the an- 
attached to the filaments, as in Vzo/a, the borage, onion, bay, 
&c. (Fig. 283), or to the anther, as in many Ericacee (Figs. 
224,235 ): | | 
The foliar nature of the stamens is especially well seen 
_ from the fact that very frequently—especially in many so- 
called double flowers—the stamens are converted- into 
petals; or occasionally stamens are developed instead of 
Fic. 286.—Stages of transition between the petals and stamens of Rosa centtfolia. 
petals, as is often seen in the shepherd’s purse. It is also 
not uncommon to find in the same flower a gradual transition 
between the stamens and petals, as occurs normally in 
Nympheeacez and Rosa centifolia (Fig. 286). 
