482 INFERIOR OVARV. 



drical leaf-stalks, by a circle of fibro-vascular cords, 

 as in a branch, and which radiate in all directions in 

 the blade of the leaf. Now, if (as often liappens to 

 a sliglit extent) the central portion of the leaf were 

 much depressed, owing to the disproportionate growth 

 of the peripheral, as contrasted with the central portions, 

 we should have a funnel-like or tubular fonnation, pre- 

 cisely similar to many of the so-called calyx- tubes. 

 And, if we further suppose new growths to originate 

 from the sides of this funnel or tube, by chorisis or 

 enation, we should have the homologue of a tubular 

 calyx, to the inner surface of which are attached petals, 

 stamens, &c. From the consideration of circumstances 

 such as these just detailed, together with that of the 

 arrangement of the vascular cords, M. Casimir De Can- 

 dolle arrives at the conclusion that the calyx-tube is a 

 ring- like projection from an axis whose fui'ther direct 

 development is arrested. The secondary projections 

 or growing-points correspond to the several fibro- 

 vascular cords of the primary ring, and are ultimately 

 developed into sepals, petals, stamens and ovaries (see 

 pp. 394, 509). 



Andrcecium. The main points of morphological interest 

 relating to the andrcrcium, refen'ed to in this volume, 

 are those concerning the structure of the anther (see 

 p. 292), the compound nature of the stamens in some 

 orders (see pp. 294, 345), and the nature of the 

 andrcecium in orchids (see p. 380). 



Inferior ovary. Is the pistil always foliar in its mor- 

 phological nature, or is it, in some cases, as Schleiden 

 taught, formed from the axis alone ? To a great 

 extent the reply to this question is dependent on the 

 conclusions that may be arrived at as to the true nature 

 of the calyx-tube. Considered from a teratological point 

 of view, there is no reason for considering the inferior 

 ovary to be purely axial. On the contrary, the evidence 

 derived from this source supports the ordinary opinion 



