THE PISTIL. 113 
men, 6 the style, and ¢ the stigma. See also Fig. 41, 
_shewing-the germen, style, and stigma of the Snapdragon 
(Antirrhinum) ; and Fig. 42, shewing the same parts of the 
Lily. ‘ ‘é 
429. The ovary is the lower and thicker part, and contains 
the ovules. It consists of one cell or more, each of which 
may generally be considered a distinct ovary. 
430. The style is the long cylindrical body placed upon 
the ovary, and terminates superiorly in the stigma, which it 
Supports. In some plants, as Iris, it is flat, thin, and peta- 
loid. It is sometimes articulated with the ovary and then 
Soon falls off. In other plants it is continuous with the 
ovary, and is then persistent. The style is not essential, be- 
‘ing frequently absent. It is generally continuous with the 
apex of the ovary. In some cases, it arises from the side of 
this organ, being then called Jateral ; as in Lady’s-mantle 
(Alehemilla vulgaris). : 
_ 431. The stigma is of a glandular nature, being generally 
covered with a viscid fluid; and is essential, as it receives 
and exerts a peculiar action on the fecundating pollen. It 
is called sessile, when the style is absent, being then placed 
immediately above the top of the ovary; Poppy (Papaver). 
See Frontispiece, Fig. 5. It is proper to distinguish between | 
stigma, which is the extreme secreting surface, and divi- 
sions of the style. The ends of these only are to be consi- | 
dered stigma. The stigma is destitute of cuticle. 
432. The pistil is frequently attached to the receptacle by 
a prolongation of the substance of the latter, called a theca- — 
‘Phore or gynophore. Yn the Strawberry (Fragaria vesca), 
the fleshy part which is eaten is the gynophore, the little | 
whitish bodies being the pistils matured. eee 
433. The observations of modern physiologists, particu. 
larly of MM. De Candolle, Turpin, have led them to consider _ 
the pistil as the modification of a leaf, or of a whorl of 
