Plants and their children

by Frances Theodora Parsons

Fig. 166

There are many different kinds of stamens. I will show you some pictures that will give you an idea of their great variety. Here is one taken from the flower of the shin leaf (Fig. [167]). The dust makes its escape through two little openings at the very top of the box.

Fig. 167

That shown in Fig. [168] is from the barberry. The sides of the box open like a door which is hinged on top. This arrangement lets out a quantity of dust.

Here is a collection of stamens of different sorts. Fig. [169] has two boxes at the top of its stalk, and so has Fig. [171]. Fig. [172] has a crosspiece, with a good-sized box at one end, and only the little beginnings of a box at the other. Fig. [170] has a similar crosspiece, with a box at one end only.

Fig. 168

Fig. 169