1850 A TEXTBOOK OF THEORETICAL BOTANY 



with one pendulous, anatropous ovule in each loculus. On top of the 

 ovary is a nectar disc surrounding the two stigmas. 



The fruit (Fig. 1755) is a cremocarp. The ovary splits into two meri- 

 carps which remain temporarily attached to the top of the axial prolonga- 

 tion, or carpophore, between them. Each mericarp is usually marked 

 by five longitudinal ridges or costae, which contain the vascular bundles, 

 and between the costae are furrows or valleculae under which lie special 

 oil ducts or vittae. Secondary costae and vittae may occur between the 

 primary ones. 



The seed is endospermic, the reserve consisting mainly of oil and protein. 

 The embryo is minute. 



The family contains about 200 genera with about 2,700 species which 

 are distributed throughout the north temperate regions. Many are found 

 in Britain. The family exhibits certain anatomical features which are 

 worthy of mention. The most important is the occurrence of schizogenous 

 resin canals similar to those in the Araliaceae. Collenchymatous strands 

 are found in the primary cortex corresponding to the ribs of the stem. 

 The pith is absent except at the nodes. Cork formation, where it occurs, 

 is usually superficial. Branched hairs of various forms occur in many 

 genera. 



The classification of the family is fairly complex, due to the number of 

 genera, while the generic distinguishing characters are small owing to the 

 uniformity of the family. 



I. Hydrocotyloideae 



Fruits with woody endocarp and no free carpophore. Vittae absent or 

 in the main ribs only. 



1. Hydrocotyleae. Fruits laterally flattened, with narrow surface of 



union. Hydrocotyle, Azorella. 



2. Mulineae. Fruit with flattened or rounded beak. Found in the 



southern hemisphere only. Bowlesia, Miilinum. 



II. Saniculoideae 



Endocarp soft, epicarp rarely smooth. Style long, with capitulate 

 stigma, surrounded by a ring-like disc. 



1. Sanicideae. Ovary bilocular, fruit two-seeded with a broad surface 



of union. Vittae well marked. Eryngiiim, Astrantia, Sanicula. 



2. Lagoecieae. Ovary unilocular and fruit one-seeded. Vittae indistinct. 



Lagoecia, Arctopiis. 



III. Apioideae 



Endocarp either soft or hardened by a subepidermal fibrous layer. 

 Style situated on the apex of a disc. 



A. Primary ridges of the fruit projecting, the lateral ones sometimes 

 wing-like. Secondary costae absent. 



I. Echinophoreae. Secondary umbels with several female flowers sur- 

 rounded by male ones. Fruit enclosed by the hardened stalks of 

 the male flowers. Echinophora. 



