L] 



EUPHORBIACE^:. 



203 



N.B. In the pistillate flowers there are two filaments, 

 but no anthers. 



Most of the British species of the Order belong to a 

 distinct type, the genus Spurge (Euphorbia)) characterised 



FIG. 137. Staminate flower of 

 perennial Mercury. 



FIG. 1^8. Pistillate flower of same, 

 with two imperfect stamens. 



by achlamydeous, monoecious flowers. The staminate 

 flowers are monandrous, and the ovary of the pistillate 

 flower consists of 3 carpels. One pistillate and several 

 staminate flowers are collected within a small involucre, 

 bordered by marginal " glands," which may be mistaken 

 by beginners for petals or calyx-lobes. A joint some 



