By Thomas Bruges Mower, Esq. 



353 



which is situated next the axis of the plant. Thus in Pentsteraon 

 the 5th anther is converted into a bunch of hairs, and Chelone has 

 the fifth filament naked, whilst in Linaria Cymbalaria {Ivy-leaved 

 Toad-flax) this stamen is reduced to so minute a size as to require 

 a magnifying power to detect it, in consequence of which it is 

 always overlooked. In Scrophularia nodosa (Knotted flgwort) , &c, 

 the fifth stamen is converted into a coloured scale occupying its 

 proper situation in the flower, whilst in Scrophularia vernalis 

 (yellow Figioort), this scale is wanting, the obliteration of the fifth 

 stamen having been completed. In Antirrhinum majus (greater 

 Snapdragon), &c, the abortive process has effected two other sta- 

 mens, which are therefore shorter than their fellows, thus consti- 

 tuting the Didynamic character of the genus, whilst in Hedge 

 Hyssop (Gratiola) these two additional stamens are almost gone, 

 their imperfect filaments alone remaining to indicate their situation. 

 Finally in Slipperwort (Calceolaria), and in Speedwell (Veronica) 

 the obliteration of the three stamens is perfected, only two remain- 

 ing to constitute the Diandrous character of these plants. That 

 the above is the true theory of the varying character of flowers as 

 respects the number and proportion of their stamens, is proved by 

 the fact that occasionally an alteration from the ordinary structure 

 in these organs takes place in a retrograde direction; the abortive 

 organs being completely restored, and then always occupying their 

 proper relative situations. Thus Gratiola, Herpestis Monnieria, 

 (thyme-leaved Hedge Hyssop), differs from the rest of the genus in 

 having four stamens ; and Antirrhinum majus, which is a Didy- 

 namous flower, having only four stamens of unequal size, I once 

 found to possess an imperfect fifth stamen next the axis, which is 

 its normal situation, and thus tending to render the plant truly 

 Pentandrous : now to apply these principles to the Primrose in 

 which the stamens occupy an apparently anomalous situation. If 

 we examine the flower of a plant belonging to the Primrose tribe 

 (Primulacece) , the Samolus Yalerandi (common BrooJcweed), we find 

 five scales at its mouth, alternating with the stamens and the lobes 

 of the flower : these the scientific Botanist will recognise as an 

 outer whorl of abortive stamens, which being entirely absent in 



