8o SOUTH AFRICAN FLOWERING PLANTS. 



The next point to notice is the outgrowth or disc 

 from the floral receptacle which invests the ovary in 

 the middle, at the same time carrying the stamens (b) 

 and the petals {a) on the outside, as shown in (2). 

 (5) is a cross-section of the ovary and disc, showing the 

 numerous ovary- cells, each containing many ovules. 



Fig. 2S.—Xymph(ta (Water-lily). (For description, see text.) 



As the carpels are coherent, they make a sytwarpmts'^ 

 pistil. 



As we have not had this condition before, I will 

 explain how it comes about. Take a pea-pod as a 

 single carpel. Now, suppose half a dozen to be stand- 

 ing erect in a circle, in touch by their edges which 



* I.e. carpels " together " (syn). 



