104 



THE PISTILS, OR GYNCECIUM. 



tribe, the pollen grains do not separate as into a dust or powder, 

 but all cohere into masses called pollinia, accompanied by a viscid 

 fluid. 



THE PISTILS, OR GYNGECIUM. 



511. position. The Gyncecium occupies the center of the flower at 

 the termination of the axis. It consists regularly of a circle of distinct 

 pistils, (§ 405), symmetrical in number with the other circles. It is 

 subject to great variation. The pistil may be distinct and simple, as in 

 columbine, or coherent in various degrees into a compound body, as in 

 St. John's wort 



379 376 



Pistils. 372, Symphytum, basilar style, ovary 4-parted. S71, s PL of Emblica (Euphorbia- 

 ce»), branching styles. 373, Mirabilis Jalapa, globular stig. 377, Fl. of Lnzuln, stigmas linaer. 

 874, Feathery stigmas of a grass. 379, Stigmas of Aster. 375, Rumex. 376, Poppy. 373, Filiform 

 Stigma of Zea Mays, (Corn). 



512. Exception. Also instead of being free and superior, as it regu- 

 larly should be, it may adhere to the other circles, as already explained 

 (§ 462), and become inferior, that is, apparently placed below tho 

 flower, as in the currant. 



513. The number of the pistils is by no means confined to the ra- 

 dical of the flower. They may be increased by multiples, becoming a 

 spiral on a lengthened receptacle, as in tulip-tree, or still remaining a 

 circle, as in poppy. On the other hand they may be reduced in num- 

 ber often to one, as in cherry, pea. Certain terms are employed to 

 denote the number of pistils in the flower, such as monogijnous, with 

 one pistil, trigynous, with three, polygynous, with many, etc. 



514. The simple pistil may usually be known from the compound, 

 by its one-sided forms — having two sides similar and two dissimilar. If 

 the pistils appear distinct, they are all simple, never being united into 

 more than one set, as the stamens often are. 



