44 



THE FLOWER. 



a. The owiXc is said to be erect when it grows from the base of the ovar}' 

 ascending, when it grows from a little above the base ; pendulous, when it hangs 

 from the summit of the cavity, and suspended, when it hangs from a little below 

 the simimit. 



90. In their early state, the ovules are quite soft, consisting of 

 two sacks or integuments, containing a pulpy mass, and open 

 only at their apex, where there is a passage left tlnough both, 

 called the foramen. The outer integimient is called the 2yri??iine, 

 the other the secwndine, and the central pulpy mass the nucleus. 

 (Fig. 11; 8.) 



a. The foramen may be detected even in the perfect seed, by soaking it in 

 water, and then pressing out the fluid thus absorbed, wliich will be seen to issue 

 from this little orifice. It has an important agency in the fertilization of the seed, 

 which at this early period has no traces of the embryo (18). 



91. The stalk by Avliich the ovule is connected to the pla- 

 centa, is called the funiculus, and its point of attachment to the 

 nucleus of the ovule, the chalaza. Through these the ovule 

 receives its nomislmient from the placenta. (Fig. 11 ; 8, 9.) 



$4. OF THE MUTUAL ACTION OF THE STAMENS AND PISTILS. 



92. The specific use of 

 the stamens and pistils is 

 the fertilization of the 

 seed (57, 58). Tliis ap- 

 pears to be effected in the 

 foUoAving manner. At the 

 proper season, the anthers 

 discharge the pollen con- 

 tained in their cavities, 

 tlu-ough their deliiscence 

 FIG. 12.— 1, Section of ihc upper par: of the style orpores,into the air. Some 



of the snap-dragon, the pollen tubes passing down q£ j^ thuS falls UPOU tllO 



between the cells ; 2, 3, 4, 5, various forms of pollen, 



showing the tubes; 6, pollen oftlie CEnothera biennis. Stigma. 



one of its tubes descending among the cells of the style. 



a. The Author of nature makes special provision for the accomplishment of 

 this function. Thus the anthers are generally placed above the stigma, the 

 stamens being longer than the pistils when the flower is erect, as in the tulip, 

 and shorter, when it droops, as in several species of the lily. In the mountain 



