266 MODIFICATIONS OF THE DISK. 
crop (fig. 581), and Vine (fig. 518); or to various petaloid 
expansions, as in the Columbine. 
When the disk is situated under the ovary, as in the Orange 
Fic. 578. Fic. 579. 
Fig. 578. Flower of the Fennel (Feniculwm capillaceum). The ovary is sur- 
mounted by a disk, d.—Fig. 579. Flower of the Rue (Ruta graveolens). 
The pistil is surrounded by a disk in the form of a fleshy hypogynous ring, 
on the outside of which the stamens are inserted. 
and Rue (fig. 579), it is termed hypogynous ; when it is attached 
to the calyx, as in the Rose and Cherry (fig. 544), it is perigynous ; 
or when on the summit of the ovary, as in Umbelliferous plants 
Fic. 580. Fic. 581. 
Fig. 580. Pistil of the Tree Peony (Pceonia Moutan or Moutan officinalis) 
invested by a large cup-shaped expansion or disk. Fig. 581. Pistil of 
Stonecrop (Sedum), consisting of five distinct carpels, on the outside of 
each of which at the base a small scaly body may be noticed. The pistil 
is compound and apocarpous. 
(fig. 578, d), epigynous ; these terms being used in the sense 
already described when treating of the insertion of the stamens 
under the head of the Andrcecium. 
3. THE GYNECIUM OR PISTIL. 
We now arrive at the consideration of the last organ of the 
flower, namely, the gyncecium or female system. The gyncecium, 
or pistil as it is frequently called, occupies the centre of the 
flower, the andrcecium and floral envelopes being arranged 
around it when they are present (fig. 26) ; the floral envelopes 
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