116 THE OVULE. 
they are inserted into a disk above the ovary, this organ is _ 
called inferior, and the perianth and stamens are epigynous — 
or superior ; as in Umbellifere, Valeriane, Dipsacex, &e. — 
See Frontispiece, Fig. 6, the flower of Snowdrop (Galanthus 
nivalis), in which the stamens and perianth are seen inserted — 
on the top of the ovary. 
THE OVULE. 
449, This is the seed in its unimpregnated state. Iti 
found in the ovary, adhering to the placenta or trophosperm, — 
and is considered as the bud of the carpel or modified leaf. — 
It is generally attached to the placenta by a little stalk call- 
ed funiculus or podosperm. See Fig. 47, page 128, in which 
is seen the funiculus of the matured ovule, (or seed) of the 
Pea. The base of the ovule is that part which is connected 
to the podosperm, and is called umbilicus or hilum. The 
opposite extremity is the apex. . 
450. When the placenta is developed. only at the upper - 
part of the margin of the carpel, the ovules necessarily hang 
down into the cell or cavity of the carpel, and are called 
pendulous or reversed. When the placenta is developed only 
at the lower part of the margin, the ovules are erect, project 
_ ing upwards into the cavity. ge 
451. Some botanists use also the terms suspended and as-— 
cending to express these two positions of the ovule; while 
others limit these terms to those cases in which the placenta 
is developed along the whole margin of the carpel, the di-_ 
_ rection of the ovule still remaining the same. 
_ 452. The ovule consists of a nucleus or kernel (the essen- 
tial part, and the basis of the future seed), inclosed within 
__ two saes, which are called primine and secundine. These 
__ haye open mouths, termed exostome, and endostome ; or ford 
_ men, when both are spoken of. It is through this fora 
that the impregnating particles of the pollen pass to ¥ 
