IS CJMBELLATE PLANTS. 



gard to the flower demands some explanation. In the 

 greater number of plants, as the Pink, Foxglove, Tu- 

 lip, and Primrose, the germ is inclosed within the flow- 

 er. These have been called inferior flowers, as being 

 situated below the germ, though it appears preferable 

 to regard the situation of the germ alone, which in this 

 case is said to be superior. 



In a much smaller number of plants, the germ oc- 

 curs below the flower, as in the Gooseberry, Apple, 

 Melon, Fuschia, Tree-primrose, and Rose, and is then 

 said to be inferior, and the flower superior. 



In the Rose and others, this relation of the germ 

 with the flower is ambiguous, as the berry or hep of 

 this plant, apparently inferior, is only the enlarged hol- 

 low base of the calyx, rendered succulent, and bearing 

 the seeds attached to its inner side. 



The umbelliferous plants have a superior flower, 

 and a corolla of five petals, called regular, though 

 there is frequently an inequality of size between the 

 external and internal petals of the flower. 



The petals are generally cordate or heart-shaped, 

 yet inversely so, or obcordate, having the point 

 downward. From the centre of the lobed extremity a 

 point is commonly reflected inwards, which produces 

 that notched, emarginate, or heart-shaped appearance 

 ->o characteristic. 



Between each petal there is a stamen with its an- 

 ther generally standing out beyond the corolla. Of a 

 proper calyx there is seldom a vestige, except in the 

 Lovage, Angelica, and Water Dropwort {(Enanthe 

 fistulosa.) 



From the centre of the flower arise two styles, 

 each furnished with its stigma, sufficiently appa- 

 rent, and these often continue so as to crown the 

 fruit. 



The general figure of this fruit is an oblong or oval, 



