630 BOTANY OF THE LIVING PLANT 



(vi.), consisting of a single stamen with a bilobed anther. The stalk which looks 

 like a filament bears about half way down a constricted joint, which is believed 

 to mark the place of an abortive perianth. The part below it would then be a 

 pedicel, above it the filament. In Anthostema the perianth is better developed 

 (Fig. 178, hi. p. 256). If these conclusions be correct, then the Cyathium 

 is properly regarded as a condensed inflorescence. 



The fruit is a capsule ; when it is ripe the carpels separate elastically from a 

 central column. This type of carpel, though in larger number, is seen in Hura 

 (Fig. 102, p. 166), another member of the Family. This type of carpel is known 

 as a coccus, hence the name Trococcae, for the number is usually three. The 

 similarity to the fruit of the Geraniaceae is striking. 



Pollination. The stigmas in any Cyathium have as a rule ceased to be 

 receptive before the pollen of the same cyathium is shed. Thus the in- 

 florescences are protogynous. 



Important Rubber-yielding plants belong to this Family (e.g. Manihot), and 

 some drugs, e.g. Ricinus. 



ORDER: SAXIFRAGALES. 



The Saxifragales probably represent a type from which a number of deriva- 

 tive groups have sprung. A general floral formula for them is S. n, P. n, 

 And. n +n,G. n, with the ovary superior, and in the simplest examples, such as 

 A stilbe, the carpels are separate and many-seeded pods. This type may be varied 

 by increase in number of the stamens, or of the carpels ; by the sinking of the 

 carpels more or less completely into the receptacle, so as to give a half-inferior 

 or an inferior ovary ; and in some cases by reduction of the number of the 

 carpels to two or only one. The number of ovules may also be reduced. But 

 still the main framework of the flower remains the same. Most of the related 

 plants bear stipulate leaves. 



Family : Saxifragaceae. Example : Meadow Saxifrage. 



(24) The White Meadow Saxifrage (Saxifraga granulata, L.) is a frequent 

 herb of grass-land, and banks. It bears at its base pink bulbils, by which it 

 multiplies vegetatively, associated with radical leaves. The flowering stem 

 bears leaves below, and a definite cymose inflorescence above, with few large 

 flowers. The whole plant has glandular hairs. The flower-stalk widens out 

 into a green hemispherical region : this encloses the base of the ovary, which 

 is thus half-inferior ; while the other floral parts are inserted on its margin 

 (Fig. 480). The flower consists of : 



Calyx, sepals 5, polysepalous, seated on the margin of the receptacle ; the 

 odd sepal is posterior. 



Corolla, petals 5, polypetalous, alternating with the sepals. 



Androecium, stamens 5 + 5, the petaline outermost (obdiplostemonous) 

 inserted round the half-sunk carpels, i.e. half-epigynous. 



Gynoecium, carpels 2, half -inferior, oblique ; united in their lower part, 

 but separate above, with distinct styles and capitate stigmas (half-syn- 

 carpous). Ovary bilocular, ovules numerous, placentation axile. 



Fruit, a dry capsule, with longitudinal dehiscence. 



