40 



NETTLE. 



[CHAr, 



also, that the stamens are adherent to the lower part of the 

 corolla. They are consequently epipetalous. The pistil is 

 syncarpous, consisting of two carpels, as indicated by the 

 bifid stigma, and the ovary is superior and deeply four- 

 lobed, so that the style springs from the centre and base of 

 the lobes of the ovary. Basil has — 



Calyx inferior., gamosepalous. 



Corolla hypogynous, gamopetalous, irregular. 



Stamens epipetalous, didynamous. 



Pistil syncarpotis, ovary superior. 



9. Grass-cloth Nettle {Boehmeria nivea). — It will be 

 needful to gather two specimens, carefully examining the 

 minute flowers, in order to ascertain that in one specimen 

 they enclose stamens, in the other a pistil, because these 

 organs occur not only in separate flowers, but, in this plant, 

 often upon distinct individuals. Flowers such as these, con- 



FiG. 26. Staminate Flower of Grass- 

 cloth Nettle [Bcehmeria fiivea). 



Fig. 27. Pistillate Flower 

 of same. 



taining stamens only, or pistil only, are said to be imperfect., 

 unisexual., or diclinous. When both staminate and pistillate 

 (unisexual) flowers occur upon one and the same plant, they 

 are said to be moTioecious ; when, as in Grass-cloth Nettle, 

 upon distinct individuals, they are said to be dicecious. 



