60 EPIGYNY [CH. 



margins of the more or less flattened or depressed re- 

 ceptacle, carrying up with it the insertions of the petals 

 and stamens (Fig. 17, B and C). In order to denote the 

 fact that the apparent origin the insertion of the latter 

 organs is thus brought into a circle around the gynoeciurn, 

 this state of affairs is termed perigynous. The distinction 

 between the hypogynous and perigynous insertion of the 

 stamens and petals can best be understood by comparing 

 the Buttercup with the superficially similar yellow flower 

 of the Potentilla, the former hypogynous, the latter peri- 

 gynous. See also Figs. 15 and 16. 



If the student examines such flowers as those of the 

 Ivy, Gooseberry, Fuchsia, Epilobium, Celery, Cow Parsnip, 

 &c., he will find that the insertion of the stamens and petals 

 has been carried up still further than in most perigynous 

 flowers, and on comparing such flowers as the Dog Rose, 

 Apple, Pear and some Saxifrages with these and the 

 preceding flowers, a glimpse may be obtained of the 

 causes at work in bringing this about, and the various 

 stages in progress : the principal of these has been the 

 further extension of such an up-growth as that already 

 described right over the top of the gynoecium, until 

 the latter is entirely covered in above, and the stamens 

 and petals stand off from above it. In this case the latter 

 organs are said to be epigynous, and here again it is of 

 importance that the significance of this condition be 

 appreciated in order to understand the nature of the 

 flower (Fig. 18, D). 



Although there are many details in this connection 

 which only become clear when the student has familia- 

 rised himself with the phenomena of the development 

 and growth of the flower in its young state, it should at 

 least be now intelligible that while hypogyny is the more 

 primitive condition, epigyny is the most advanced state 



