UMBELLIFERA. 573 
a common axis (carpophore), which is undivided (fig. 971, h) 
or forked (fig. 717), from which they ultimately separate 
and become pendulous (fig. 717); each mericarp (jigs. 969 
and 970) an indehiscent 1-seeded body, traversed on its dorsal 
surface by ridges, a, of which there are usually 5; but some- 
times there are 4 others, alternating with them, in which case 
the former are termed primary, and the latter secondary ridges ; 
the spaces between the ridges are called channels (vallecule), 
b, in which are frequently oily receptacles called vittzx (fig. 
175). Seed pendulous (fig. 971); embryo minute, f, at the base 
of abundant horny albumen, d; radicle pointing towards the 
hilum. 
Diagnosis. —Herbs or shrubs. Stems generally hollow ; 
leaves alternate, usually compound and amplexicaul, or some- 
times simple, and always exstipulate. Flowers almost always 
arranged in a more or less umbellate manner, or rarely capitate. 
Calyx superior. Petals and stamens 5, inserted on the outside 
of a double fleshy epigynous disk. Ovary inferior, 2-celled, 
with a solitary pendulous ovule in each cell; styles 2. Fruit 
consisting of two indehiscent carpels, which separate when ripe 
from a common axis or carpophore. Seeds pendulous, one in 
each carpel, with a minute embryo at the base of abundant 
horny albumen. 
Division of the Order and Illustrative Genera :—The order 
has been divided into three sub-orders from the appearance of 
the albumen, but these are by no means well defined. They 
are as follow :— 
Sub-order 1. OrTHOSPERMEX.—Albumen flat on its face. Tllus- 
trative Genera: — Hydrocotyle, Linn.; Cinanthe, Linn. ; 
Heracleum, Linn. 
Sub-order 2. CamMpyLOSPERME.—Albumen rolled inwards at 
the margins, and presenting a vertical furrow on its face. 
Illustrative Genera:— Anthriscus, Hoffm.; Cheerophyllum, 
Linn. ; Conium, Linn. 
Sub-order 3. CaLosPpERMEX.—Albumen with the base and apex 
curved inwards on its face. Illustrative Genera :—Ormosci- 
adium, Boiss. ; Coriandrum, Linn. 
By Bentham and Hooker this order has been divided as 
follows :— 
Series 1. Hereroscraprex.—Umbels generally simple or very 
irregularly compound, or the flowers are capitate. Vittz 
none or obscure. Illustrative Genera :—Hydrocotyle, Linn. ; 
Astrantia, Linn. ; Eryngium, Linn. 
Series 2. HapLozycie%.—Umbels compound (fig. 430). Primary 
ridges of fruit alone conspicuous (jigs. 969 and 970). Vittze 
usually obvious. Illustrative Genera: —Conium, Linn. ; 
Myrrhis, Scop.; Foeniculum, Adanson. 
