542 



SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



2. Epigynse. 



Natural Order 99. Cucurbitaceje. — The Gourd or Cucumber 

 Order {figs, 932-934). — Character. — Herbs, generally of a suc- 

 culent nature, and either prostrate, or climbing by means of 

 tendrils. Leaves succulent, alternate, with a radiate venation 

 {fig. 284), more or less scabrous. Flowers unisexual {figs. 932 

 and 933), monoecious or dioecious. Calyx monosepalous, 5-toothed 

 {fig. 932), the limb sometimes obsolete, superior in the female 

 flowers {fig. 932). Corolla monopetalous {figs. 932 and 933), 



Fig. 932. Fig. 933. 



Fig. 932. Female or pistillate flower of the cucumber (Ciictimis sativus). 

 CO. Calyx adliereut to the ovary, the limb is seen alcove , with five 



divisions, p. Corolla, s. Stigmas. Fig. 933. Male or staminate 



flower of the same, the floral envelopes of which have been divided 

 iu a longitudinal manner. From Jussieu. c. Calyx, p. Corolla, st. 

 Stamens. 



4— 5-parted, sometimes fringed, with evident reticulated veins, 

 perigynous. Barren flower: — Stamens usually 5, epipetalous 

 {fig. 933), either distinct, or monadelphous, or triadeiphous in 

 such a way that two of the bundles contain each 2 stamens, and 

 the other but 1 stamen, rarely there are but 2 or 3 stamens 

 present; anthers 2-celled, usually long and sinuous {fig. 517, V), 

 rarely straight. Fertile Flower: — Ovary inferior (fig. 932), 

 1-celled, or spuriously 3-celled from the projection inwards of 

 the placentas ; 'placentas parietal {fig. 704, pi), usually 3 ; ovules 

 indefinite, or sometimes solitary; style short {fig. 932); stigmas 

 thickened {figs. 633 and 932, s), papillose, lobed, or fringed. 

 Fruit a pepo {figs. 704 and 934) or rarely a succulent berry. 

 Seeds more or less flattened, usually with a leathery or horny 

 testa, solitary or numerous ; embryo flat, without albumen ; 

 cotyledons leafy ; radicle towards the hilum. 



