THE CAPER FAMILY. 93 



caper {Cap'paris) lias 9, principally in the Eastern 

 districts. 



Cap'paris (Fig. 34). — Like Criicifers, this genus has 

 four imbricate sepals, four petals, but many stamens, 

 and two to eight carpels in different species, forming a 

 syncarpous pistil. This is supported on a long stalk 

 called a Gynophore, i.e. " pistil-bearer " (Fig. 34, I., II.), 

 arising out of the middle of the flower. The ovary is one- 

 celled with several false dissepiments, as in poppies 

 (IV.). It forms a capsule (III.)> and the seed (V.) 

 has no endosperm. There is a long embryo (VI.). 



The capers used in sauces are the unopened flower- 

 buds of C. spino'sa, a species common on rocks and 

 walls on the Mediterranean shores. The caper is 

 mentioned in Scripture (Eccles. xii. 5), " The caper-berrjr 

 shall fail," i.e. no longer act as a stimulant to the 

 aged man. It is referred to by Pliny in the first 

 century, who says, " The seed of the caper is a well- 

 known article of food, and is mostly gathered with the 

 stalk." Of course he means the buds. 



One Cape species of Caper (G. alhitrun' ca) has a 

 white bark and wood useful for yokes, etc. 



General Description of the Gaper Family. 



Trees, shrubs, or herbs. 



Leaves — Simple or compound. 



Flowers — Sepals, 4 ; petals, 4-8 or more, clawed ; 



