INTRODUCTION TO BRITISH BOTANY xi 



anthers being distinct, or free, as in Mallow, p. 49 ; and sometimes 

 the filaments are free, and the anthers are united into a ring, as in 

 the Compound Flowers, p. 146. 



The Pistil. This is the central part of the flower, and 

 | in its commonest form is a delicate column composed of 

 three parts the ovary, the style, and the stigma. 



The ovary, (from ovum, an egg), sometimes called the 

 germen, contains the rudiments of the future seed. 



The style, (from stylos, a column), is to the pistil what the shaft 

 is to a pillar, connecting the ovary with 



The stigma, which is sometimes a mere viscid point, but more 

 frequently an enlargement of the summit of the style, and is vari- 

 ously shaped, being globular, flat, lobed, etc. If there be no style, 

 the stigma is said to be sessile. 



In the majority of flowers there is but one pistil ; but very often 

 there is a single ovary, which bears several styles and stigmas. In 

 this case the ovary usually consists of several cells, each of which, 

 with its style and stigma, is termed a carpel ; and the same name 

 is given to each of the ovaries in such flowers as Marsh Marigold, 

 p. 7, where they are distinct ; and in Blackberry, p. 86, where they 

 are united. 



Both calyx and corolla, it has been said above, may be absent. 

 Not so with respect to stamens and pistils ; for, unless they are 

 present, no seed can be perfected. It is not, however, essential 

 that they should both be found in the same flower. Sometimes on 

 the same plant flowers are to be found, some of which bear stamens 

 only, others pistils only ; and not unfrequently these organs grow, 

 not only in separate flowers, but on different plants. In either 

 case, those flowers alone which contain pistils produce seeds, and 

 are therefore termed fertile ; while those containing stamens only, 

 are called barren. The external structure of barren and fertile 

 flowers is often very dissimilar, as in Willow, p. 264, and Oak, 

 p. 266. When the ovary is inserted above the base of the perianth, 

 it is said to be superior, as in Crowfoot, p. 6 ; when below, inferior, 

 as in Rose, p. 88. In like manner the perianth is said to be superioi 

 or inferior, according as it is inserted above or below the ovary. 



The Fruit. As the flower withers, the ovary enlarges and be- 

 comes the fruit, that is, the seed, with its case or covering, also 

 .ailed a pericarp, (from peri, around, and carpos, fruit). Among the 

 various forms of fruit, the principal are 



The capsule (from capsula, a little box), a dry case, either opening 

 by valves, as in Pink, p. 39 ; by teeth, as in Lychnis, p. 42 ; by 

 pores, as in Poppy, p. 13 ; or by splitting all round, as in Pimpernel, 

 p. 237. 



The silique and silicle, described at p. 16. 



The pod, or legume, a long seed-vessel, differing from the silique 



