CIST1FLOKJE. 407 



the petals and stamens ; in general there are 5-8 free sepals 

 and petals, the latter consisting of a large scale-like sheath with 

 a fimbriated blade (see Fig.) ; stamens numer- 

 ous ; carpels 6-2 united together; ovary uni- 

 locular with parietal placentae, but the cavity 

 of the ovary is not closed at the top. In Astro- 

 carpus the gynoeceum is apocarpous. The fruit 

 is most frequently a capsule ; the seeds are 

 reniform, without endosperm, and the embryo 

 is curved. 



This order connects the Bhceadinns with the Cisti- 



FIG. 41<5. Diagram of 

 rlora}. It is closely allied to the Rhceadmas by its Reseda odorata. 



external appearance, even by the smell and taste, the 



parietal placeutation, structure of the seeds, the inflorescences, etc., whilst by 

 the irregular flowers and the disc placed at the posterior side of the flower, 

 it is cllied to Cappuridacete, but differs from this order in not having its 

 characteristic number (2-4) and by the very different mode of dehiscence of 

 the fruit, etc. It differs from the other orders of this family chiefly in the 

 fact that the number of the perianth-leaves is not constantly 5. In R>seda 

 luteol/t both the calyx and corolla appear to be 4- leaved, because the posterior 

 sepal is suppressed, and the 2 posterior petals are united. Where tin re are 10 

 stamens, they stand in 2 whorls, i.e. in front of the sepals and petals ; if there 

 are several, their position depends upon the splitting. Astrocarpus is remark- 

 able for its apocarpous fruit and the position of the ovules on the dorsal suture 

 of the carpel. 



The yellow, flat disc at the back of the flower serves as a nectary, the honey 

 being protected by the lobes of the petals. If pollination by insects is not 

 effected, then self-pollination may take place, at all events in R. odomta. 



45 species ; the majority in the Mediterranean and in Persia. Reseda odnratu 

 (from Egypt) is cultivated on account of its sweet scent; R. lutcola ("Dyer's 

 Weed ") yields a yellow dye. 



Order 2. Droseraceae (Sundews). Herbs, chiefly living on 

 moors or in water, and whose leaves are adapted to catch and 

 digest small animals. With regard to the flower, they are closely 

 allied to the Violacete, especially to those with regular flowers. 

 Drosera (Sundew) has a long-stalked scorpioid cyme with regular, 

 ^ , hypogynous flowers, 5-merons as in Viola. S5, Po, A5, G3 

 (in a syncarpous gynosceum, with free, bifid styles and basal or 

 parietally-placed ovules in the unilocular ovaries). The capsule 

 opens also as in Viola, but, among other differences, the styles are 

 free, the seeds very small, and surrounded by a loosely lying, thin 

 shell. Droser.i has radical, long-stalked leaves with the blade (Fig. 417) 

 covered by numerous strong glandular hairs, placed on the edge and in the 

 middle ; when small animals are caught by these hairs, the latter and the entire 



