214 



THE FLOWER. 



It is not possible by any direct demonstration to distinguish be- 

 tween such productions of the receptacle, which are classed as 

 belonging to the axis, and suppressed or undeveloped phyllous 

 organs, such as stamens, which glands of the disk may some- 

 times represent. 



39o. Hypanthium. Inspection of Fig. 415, 416, and 337, and 

 comparison with Fig. 339, will suggest an explanation differ- 

 ent from that which is generally 

 adopted. Instead of regarding the 

 calyx as beginning on a level with 

 the base of the ovary, and the cup 

 as lined, more or less thickly, by 

 an expansion of the receptacle (the 

 perigynous disk), 

 the calyx may be 

 understood to begin 

 where this and the 

 ovary become free 

 from each other. 

 I'liderthat view, the 

 receptacle, instead 

 of convex or protu 

 berant, is here con- 

 cave, has grown up 

 419 around the ovary, 

 which, however, is free from the cup in the earlier cited figures, 

 but immersed in it in Fig. 339 and the like. A comparison with 

 a rose-hip, an apple, and a pear much strengthens this interpre- 

 tation, which is rather largely adopted at this day. at least 

 theoretically. It was perhaps lirst proposed by Link, who intro- 

 duced the appropriate name of HYI-ANTIUM. A hypanthium or 

 hypanthiol receptacle is, as the name betokens, a llower-axis or 

 receptacle developed mainly under the calyx. The name is a 

 good one, in any case ; and such structures as those of C'alycan- 

 thus (Fig. 417-419), a rose, a pear (the lower part of which is 

 evidently an enlargement of peduncle), and of Cactus-Mowers 

 (Fig. " 17). although (mite compatible with the theory of actuation, 

 are more simply explained by it. 1 



1 But, whether the cases are well distinguishable or not, it l>y no means 

 follows that the receptacle plays such a part in all instances of perigyny and 

 of inferior or partly inferior ovary. Such a view is attended by more diffi- 

 culties than the other. Unless the mediation of an invisible receptacle must 



KKl. 417. Flowering branch of Calycan thus. 418. Vertical section of the urn-shaped 

 receptacle, the imbricated bracts or sepals on its surface cut away. 419. Mature 

 fructiferous receptacle entire, showing some scars from which the bracts have fallen. 



