INTRODUCTION. XI 



sometimes they form a hollow tube, the anthers being 

 distinct, or free, as in Mallow, p. Ill \ and sometimes 

 the filaments are free, and the anthers are united into 

 a ring, as in the Compound Mowers, p. 319 ; and 

 Heath, p, 392. 



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 variously shaped, being globular, flat, 

 lobed, &c. 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 con- 

 sists 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 Mari- 

 gold, p. 1 6, where they are distinct ; and in Blackberry, 

 p. 193, 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 differ- 

 ent plants. In either case, those flowers alone which 

 contain pistils produce seeds, and are therefore termed 

 fertile ; while those containing stamens only, are called 



