THE STUDY OF BOTANY. 
167 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
Article XI.—ON THE STUDY OF THE SCIENCE OF BOTANY. 
BY MR. F. F. ASHFORD. 
Fifth Communication.—( Continued from page 125.) 
3. Stamina, (stamens,) are the male part of the Flowers. Lin¬ 
naeus defines them to he an entrail of the plant designed for the pre¬ 
paration of the pollen, each stamen consists of 
1 Filamentum, a filament or thread which serves to elevate the 
anthera, and at the same time connects it with the flower, these are 
either:--- 
a JEqualia, —equal, when they are all of an equal length. 
b Inaequalia,—unequal, when some are long and others short, or: 
c Connata, when joined in one body, but their number, figure, 
and insertion expressed. 
2. Anthera, or summit, containing within it the pollen, and when 
grown to maturity, discharges the same, it is either 
a Distinct®, not cohering: or b Connata, joined by it sides into 
one body. 
3. Pollen-meal, a powder of the anthera, destined for the impreg¬ 
nation of the germen, and bursting in a viscous humour into fine 
atoms, is by a prolific blast scattered on the surface of the stigma. 
The stamina, being, as I have said, the male part of the flower, 
the construction and distribution of the sexual system, is principally 
founded upon, and regulated by it, as will appear in the explanation. 
4. Pistillum, pointal, is the female part of the flower, it is defined 
by the immortal Swede, to be an entrail of the plant designed for 
the reception of the pollen, it consists of three parts, viz. : 
1. Germen, rudiment of the fruit, accompanying the flower, not 
yet arrived to maturity ; it is either, 
a Superum, when included in the corolla. 
b Inferum, when below the corolla. 
2. Stylus, that part of the pistillum, which elevates the stigma, 
from the germen. 
3. Stigma, the female uteras, at the top of the pistil, furnished 
with a moist humour for the breaking of the pollen. 
The pistillum, being the female part of the flower, is of great con¬ 
sequence in the sexual system, as will appear when it comes to be 
