272 



axis. In 

 (Fig. 



Fig. 196. 



Vertical section of flower of the Peach, as 

 an example of a perigynous flower. (After 

 Figuier.) 



BOTANY OF THE LIVING PLANT 



primitive types, such as the Buttercup, or Mousetail 

 the receptacle is conical, and the sepals, petals, stamens 



and carpels succeed one another 

 upon it without any interval. Where 

 the stamens are thus seated below 

 the carpels the condition is de- 

 scribed as hypogynous, and the 

 ovary superior. Occasionally in such 

 types the axis may be elongated, 

 so that there is an interval between 

 the series of parts. In the Passion 

 Flower the stamens and carpels 

 are thus carried up a considerable 

 distance above the sepals and petals. In the Caper Family the 

 carpels alone are raised thus on an elongated axis. More frequently 

 there may be a local widening out of the receptacle, in the form of 

 a ring or cup, by growth of tissue beneath the 

 insertion of the lower parts. The sepals, 

 petals, and stamens may together be carried 

 outwards upon its margin, while the gynoecium 

 occupies the centre of the cup. This occurs 

 frequently in certain families, and is well seen 

 in the Rosaceae (Fig. 196, Peach). Occasion- 

 ally an isolated genus shows it, as in Subularia, 

 among the hypogynous Cruciferae. It may 

 be regarded as a local modification of the 

 hypogynous state, and is described as peri- 

 gynous. 



A more important modification is that 

 which leads to the sinking of the gynoecium 

 downwards into the tissue of the abbreviated 

 axis. This gives the epigynous condition, 

 with so-called inferior ovary (Fig. 197, Fuchsia). 

 The way in which this comes about is best 

 illustrated by observing the development of a 

 flower of an epigynous type, as may be easily 

 done in the Sunflower or others of the Com- 

 positae (Fig. 198). 



If median sections be cut of a young head of Sunflower, the general receptacle 

 will be seen to bear flowers of different ages, the oldest at the outside and the 

 youngest nearest the centre. Each arises in the axil of a bract, and the youngest 



Fig. 197. 



Vertical section of flower 

 of th; Fuchsia, as an ex- 

 ample of an epigynous flower. 

 (After Figuier.) 



