THE PARTS OF A FLOWER. 
55 
6. Outside the pistil, and next in order, come the 
stamens: each formed of a slender stalk having a 
golden knob at the top called the anther. This is 
made up of two little bags which are filled with 
grains of pollen, looking like golden dust. 
7 . Now the little seed-buds in a pistil will not 
begin to grow into seeds unless some pollen comes 
to rest upon the stigma. When 
that happens the seeds very soon 
quicken and grow. You see, 
then, that the stamens which 
bear the pollen are also a very 
important part of any flower. 
8. As for the beautiful white 
petals, and the green sepals, the 
orange flower might carry out 
its work and produce seeds 
without them. 
Many kinds of flowers, indeed, 
of which the coco is one, have neither petals nor 
sepals. The flowering spike of the coco bears only 
stamens and pistils; and, for protection, these are 
surrounded by a sheath, or spathe, as it is called. 
9. Of what use, then, are the outer parts of the 
orange flower? 
Bud of Annatto Flower just 
about to open (cut through 
to show Stamens, Ovary, &c., 
enveloped by Flower Leaves). 
They serve to fold around the stamens and pistil 
in the bud, and to protect them until the pollen is 
ripe, and ready to be scattered on the stigmas. 
io. The bright, sweet- scented petals also serve 
