386 



DICOTYLEDONKS. 



tissue, partly endosperm, partly perisperm (Fig. 383 C). The 

 embryo lias 2 thick cotyledons and a small hypocotyl ; the 

 plumule is well developed, with 2-4 leaves. 



1. CABOJIBE.E. 3-4 species (Tropical S. Am.), resembling the Water 

 Ranunculus, with two kinds of leaves, the submerged being dissected and the 



rial peltate. The flowers are eucyclic, trimerous, with 2-3 free, epigynous 

 carpels. The ovules are situated OH the central line of the carpel an almost 

 unique circumstance. Endosperm and perisperm. Ctibomba ; P>rascnia. 



2. NELUMBONEJ:. The leaves are peltate, raised on long stalks 

 high above the water. Large, Jiypogynous flowers (Fig. 382) ; 

 sepals 4-5 ; petals numerous ; stamens numerous; carpels several, 

 distinct. The i^eceptacle is very remarkable, being raised above 

 the stamens, and developed into an inverted conical body 011 



the apex of which the nut- 

 like fruits are embedded in 

 pits. Endosperm is wanting, 

 but the embryo is lai'ge and 

 has well developed cotyledons. 

 Nelunibo, 2 species. N. liitca (N. 

 Am.) ; N. speciosa (E. Ind.) was 

 sacred amongst the ancient Hindoos 

 and Egyptians (the Lotus flower) ; 

 its seeds are used as food. 



3. NYMPHJEEJ;, WATER LILY 

 GROUP. The carpels are united 

 into one, many-locular ovary, 

 whose numerous ovules are 

 situated on the surface of the 

 partition walls (as in the Pop- 

 pies) ; the stigma is sessile 

 and radiating 1 , the number of rays corresponding to the number 

 of carpels (Fig. 383). The fruit is a spongy berry with many 

 seeds, which have a large perisperm in addition to the endosperm 

 (Fig. 383 G). 



Sepals, petals, and stamens often pass gradually over the one 

 into the other, the petals becoming narrower by degrees, and 

 bearing anthers on each side of the apex, which gradually become 

 larger anthers in proportion to the filament, until the perfect 

 stamen is developed. The long-stalked leaves are floating, and 

 most frequently cordate, elliptical, leathery, with a shiny surface, 

 sometimes (as in Victoria regia and Euryale jVrc.c) with strongly 



FIG. 382. Nelumbo nvcifera: vertical section 

 through the receptacle. 



