364 



In non-technical language, the pistil or the young fruit, below the stigmatic tube, 

 shows externally at this time six quite distinct longitudinal divisions, each having 

 a median ridge, there being six corresponding depressions or concavities in w hich 

 the six stamens fit, especially at the base. Technically the pistil is a three-celled 



Tig. 62. ^Flower of Yucca filam-^iitosa with near petals removed, sbuwiii}; Prouiiba in act of ovi- 

 positing. 



ovary, the style bifid at the tip and united so as to form the stigmatic tube. A trans- 

 verse section anywhere about the muldle will show that eaph of the six longitudinal 

 sections contains a row of ovules within an ovarian cell. More strictly, the ovules 

 are in pairs, as there are but three primary sections or carpels, divided by three 



■**^> 



Fig. 63.— Transverse section of one of the carpels of Yucca pistil ; a. ovnle ; 6. funiculus ; c, placenta; 

 rf, ovarian cell; c, flbrovascular bundles; /, tibro-vascular tissue: fj. primary dissepiment — X 9. 



primary divisions or dissepiments. Fig. 63 shows a transverse section of one of 

 these primary divisions or carpels, which well indicates the position of the ovule 

 («), the funiculus (/>), the placenta (c), and tlie ovarian cell {d). As the fruit eii- 

 larges, the three secondary dissepiments narrow and coalesce, while the other three 



