70 



NOMENCLATURE. 



organ, and bears the scar, or stigma. The pistillum is often 

 entirely wanting, as in the Poppy : it often rises, not from 

 the top of the germen, but from its base, and on its sides, as 

 in the Labiatae and Hirtella, (Tab. VII. Fig. 3.) : it is sel- 

 dom hollow, commonly it resembles a solid pillar, which might 

 be confounded with the filaments, if we did not attend to the 

 usual central position of the pistillum, and to its strength, 

 which is usually somewhat greater than that of the fila- 

 ments. 



The stigma (stigma), is that part of the pistillum which 

 has a soft spungy structure, and is destined to the reception 

 of the impregnating principle. It is by no means always 

 found on the top of the pistillum, for in the Caryophylleae it 

 is placed longitudinally on the side of the pistillum. In the 

 Iris, it forms a small fold under each of the three divisions of 

 the pistillum, which in this species resembles the petals of the 

 corolla. The softer and more spungy the surface is, and the 

 richer in fine warty matter, the more certainly may we re- 

 gard it as a true stigma. Nor is it necessary, with Richard, to 

 give to the stigma of the Orchideae a peculiar name, gynizus^ 

 (properly gynixus), because the idea upon which this name 

 is founded is applicable to all families. The stigma in the 

 Lobelias has a peculiar veil (indusium), which covers it, be- 

 fore it has attained its perfect state, (Tab. II. Fig. 23). 



107. 



The male part consists, in common plants, of two organs, 

 namely, the filament (Jilamentum), and the anther (anther a) ; 

 and these, when they are taken in connection, constitute the 

 stamina. The filaments have the same origin with the co- 

 rolla ; and, in innumerable plants, are closely united with it. 

 In the Canna, Scitamineae, Calothalamus Labill., and some 

 species of Thalictrum, they evince, by their colouring and 

 breadth, their approach to the nature of the corolla. 



The fertilising dust (pollen), is contained in the antherae, 

 and has, for the most part, a resemblance to small globules, 

 but it often varies from this form. 



