THE STRUCTURE OF FLOWERS 



21 



either case the terminal part which carries all the 

 parts of the flower is enlarged into what is 

 called the Floral Receptacle. In the raspberry it 

 forms a cone up the middle of the fruit and in 

 the strawberry it is enormously enlarged and forms 

 the edible structure. 



But, besides the terminal enlarged part, it may 

 spread out more or less horizontally and form a 

 ringround the base of the 

 flower. Such occurs in 

 the raspberry and straw- 

 berry (Fig. 2), when it 



constitutes a little trough. 

 The outer edge now 

 carries the sepals, petals, 



, ^ .1 ., . 1 Fig. 2. Vert. sec. of flower of Strawberry. 



and stamens to a little 



distance away from the pistil which alone remains 



on the central support, as shown in the figure. 



The use of this lateral expansion is the formation 

 of the honey-secreting surface. 



Yet a further growth may 

 take place. The outer rim 

 which carries the sepals, petals, 

 and stamens may grow up into 

 the form of a cup round the 



pistil. This is the case with Fig. 3. Vert. sec. of flower of 



the almond, cherry or peach 



(Fig. 3), and rose (Fig. 4)- I" the first three 



named, there is only one carpel which becomes 



