58 



STKUCTUKAL BOTANY. 



[48, 49. 



CHAPTER IX. 



THE OVULES. 



138. The ovules are understood to be transformed 

 buds, destined to become seeds in the fruit. Their 

 development from the margins and inner surface of 

 the carpel favors this view ; for the ordinary leaves of 

 Bryophyllum and some other plants do habitually pro- 

 duce buds at their margin or on their upper surface ; 

 and in the Mignonette, ovules themselves have been 

 seen transformed into leaves. 



139. The number of ovules in the ovary varies from 

 one to hundreds. Thus, in Buttercups, Compositse, and 

 Grasses, the ovule is solitary; in Umbelliferee it is also 



159 



158 



150, Pistil of Celosia ; the pericarp detached, showing the young ovules. 151, Flower of Rhubarb, 

 pericarp removed, showing the young ovule. 152, A similar ovule (orthotropous) of Polygonum. 153, The 

 same, full grown ; foramen at top. 154, Section showing its two coats, nucleus, and sac. 155, Antropons 

 ovule, as of Columbine ; a, foramen. 156, Section of same. 157, Campylotropous Ovule, as of Bean ; 

 a, foramen. 158, Section of a Cherry ; ovule anatropous, suspended. 159, Section of carpel of Ranuncu- 

 lus ; ovule ascending. 160, Senecio ; ovule erect. 161, Hippuris ; ovule pendulous. 



solitary in each of the two carpels; in the Pea order 

 they are definite, being but few ; in Mullein and Poppy, 

 indefinite (oo), too many to be readily counted. As to 



