ORGANS OF REPRODUCTION. 



47 



Anthers and Pollen. — As already stated, the anthers 

 are borne on the apex of the filaments ; they are of diffe- 

 rent forms, and attached in various ways (fig. 6). In 

 the lily and passion-flower they are linear and loosely 

 attached by their centre, and are easily moved about? 

 being called versatile. They are often globose or oblong, 

 and attached to the side of the filament. Each consists 

 of two cells, which open either by a slit, or pores at their 

 apex, as in rhododendron ; or by valve-like lids, as the 

 sweet bay. The cells contain a matter like powdery dust, 

 generally of a yellowish colour, called pollen^ which, on 



Fig. 6. 



being examined with the microscope, will be seen to con- 

 sist of definite bodies, varying in size and shape in dif- 

 ferent plants (fig. 7, a), being globose, oblong, like grains 

 of wheat, or tri-lobed. Their surface is either dotted, 

 striated, smooth, rough, or prickly. On the application 

 of moisture, they after a time burst and protrude a 

 thread-like body called the pollen tube (fig. 7, d), which 

 is the essence of fertilization. {See Fertilization.) 



The Pistil. — The pistil or pistils, there being often 

 more than one in a flower, is seated on the ovary, and, 

 when perfect, consists of two parts, the lower part being 



