5i6 



BOTANY OF THE LIVING PLANT 



(Fig. 169, iii. p. 222). If these conclusions be correct, then the Cyathium 

 is properly regarded as a condensed inflorescence. 



The fruit is a capsule ; when it is ripe the carpels separate elastically from a 

 central column. This type of carpel, though in larger number, is seen in Hura 

 (Fig. 94, p. 134), another member of the Family. This type of carpel is known 

 as a coccus, hence the name Tricoccae, for the number is usually three. The 

 similarity to the fruit of the Geraniaceae is striking. 



R. 



Y. 



FIG. 421. 



Euphorbia Lathyris, L. I. flowering shoot. II. a single cyathium. III. Cyathium 

 with involucre removed. IV. same in section. V. the involucre. VI. a single male 

 flower. VII. ripe seed with caruncle. VIII. same in section. IX. diagram of a 

 cyathium. 



Pollination. The stigmas in any Cyathium have as a rule ceased to be 

 receptive before the pollen of the same cyathium is shed. Thus the in- 

 florescences are protogynous. 



ORDER : SAXIFRAGALES. 



The Saxifragales probably represent a type from which a number of deriva- 

 tive groups have sprung. A general floral formula for them is S. n, P. n, 

 And. n +n, G. n, with the ovary superior, and in the simplest examples, such as 

 A stilbe, the carpels are separate and many -seeded pods. This type may be varied 



