THE ORIGIN OF ANGIOSPERMS. 45 
The gyneceum would consist of an indefinite number of carpels forming 
apocarpous, monocarpellary ovaries, each containing several ovules, with 
marginal placentation. There would be no style. The stigmatie surface 
would be more or less confined to the apex of the carpel, and would probably 
be of a sticky nature, or the apex of the carpel may have remained slightly 
open, as in the modern Reseda. Тһе ovule would be orthotropous, with two 
integuments. The carpel would dehisce by ihe ventral suture, and the seeds 
be distributed by simply falling from the carpel, or being shaken out of it 
by the wind. The embryo would germinate within a short period after 
fertilisation, and would possess two epigeal cotyledons. 
The andreecium would comprise an indefinite number of stamens, with long 
anthers. The filaments would be short, and the connective produced beyond 
the anther as a slight expansion. 
The perianth would consist of numerous, spirally arranged members, either 
all similar in form, colour, ete., or somewhat differentiated, with an inner 
petaloid series serving both as an attractive and protective organ. 
The mode of fertilisation would be by means of entomophily, the pollen- 
collecting mechanism being performed by the carpels. 
It will thus be seen that we regard polypetaly, hypogyny, and apocarpy * 
as primitive conditions, antecedent in point of time to the more highly evolved 
states, in which cohesion and adhesion of similar or dissimilar organs is to be 
found. 
As we have pointed out, there is no reason to believe that any Angiosperm 
with a complete assemblage of primitive floral characters is to be found to-day, 
nor indeed that such a flower ever existed. On the other hand, there are 
many Angiospermous flowers which retain one or more primitive features. 
According to our view, the greatest number are exhibited in the families 
Magnoliacew, Ranunculaceae, Nympheacece and Calycanthaceæ, amongst 
Dicotyledons ; and Alismaceve, Butomacee and Palmacese, among Mono- 
cotyledons. 
Magnoliacew. 
In this family we find an elongated receptacle, bearing an indefinite 
number of stamens and carpels, which are spirally arranged. The form of 
the stamen, with its long and broad connective, continued below as a very 
short filament and above as a sterile apex, is also a primitive feature. 
The perianth of the members of the two tribes Sehizandres and Illicieæ 
consists of. many tepals, spirally arranged. In the tribe Magnolieze however, 
it is cyclie, and sometimes in three definite whorls ; a stage obviously derived 
from the preceding. In the allied Апопасег this arrangement is generally 
characteristic. 
* See also Bessey (1897). 
