194 



ORGANOGRAPHY. 



flattened, as in the Cotton Thistle (Onopordum Acajithium) (fig. 

 404); or it is conical, as in the Chamomile (fig. 381) ; or con- 

 cave, as in the Dorstenia (fig. 384) ; or pear-shaped, as in the 

 Pig (fig. 383) ; or it assumes a variety of other intermediate 



Fig. 384. 



'ig. 383. Hypanthodium of 

 the Fig {Ficus Carica), 

 showing pear-slmped fleshy 

 receptacle bearing flowers. 

 Fia- 384. Hypantho- 

 dium of a species of Dor- 

 stenia, with concave recep- 

 tacle. 



forms. It should be particularly observed, that the term recep- 

 tacle is also applied by some botanists to the apex of the pe- 

 duncle or pedicel, whether enlarged or not, and whether 

 bearing one or a number of flowers. When plants which have 

 no aerial stems bear flowers, the peduncle necessarily arises at, 

 or under the ground, in which case it is called a Scape or radical 

 peduncle (fig. 379), as in the Spring Snow-flake, Tulip, Hyacinth, 

 Primrose, Cowslip, &c. 



In form the peduncle is generally more or less cylindrical, but 

 besides the departure from this ordinary ap])carance as exhibited 

 by the receptacle just described, it frequently assumes other 

 forms. Thus, it may become more or less compressed, or 

 grooved in A'arious ways, or it may become excessively en- 

 larged during the ripening of the fruit, as in the CasliewNut; 

 or it may assume a spiral a])])carance, as in the Vailisneria 

 (fig. 385); or become spiny, or transformed into a tendril, &c. 

 In the Esclischoltzia it becomes hollowed out at its apex, so as 

 to form a cup-s]uii)ed body, to which the lower i)art of the calyx 

 is attached. 



In some cases the peduncle becomes flattened and assumes the 

 form of a phyllode,in which case it is called a phi/lloid peduncle or 



