THE INFLORESCENCE, AND THE FLOWER 



239 



and the organic apex of the flower lies at the bottom of it (v.). It is here 

 that the single ovule arises (vi.) and thus the ovary containing it lies appa- 

 rently below the other parts. It is described as inferior, and the flower as 

 epigynous. But it is clear that the succession of parts, excepting the 



FIG. 188. 



i.-viii. Successive stages in the development of the individual flower of the 

 Sunflower; i.-vi. in vertical, vii., viii., in transverse section. /Z=flower. 6= 

 bracteole. =petal. s<= stamen. c=carpel. s=sepal. (i.-v., vii. and viii. x 60. 

 vi. x 16.) The shaded zone in vi. is the result of intercalary growth originating at 

 the dotted line in v. 



luced calyx, is acropetal, and the carpels are actually nearest to the apex. 

 r hus the epigynous state results from the relatively slow growth of the apex, 

 vhich is overtopped by the stronger growth around it. 



(vii) Differences of Symmetry. In many flowers, such as the Butter- 



ip, Rose, or Tulip, the parts may develop equally on all sides of the 



cis, giving a radial or actinomorphic symmetry. This is believed to 



)e a primitive condition, and it is found in flowers which are not 



lighly specialised. It prevails in spiral or hemicyclic types. In 



thers the development may be unequal on different radii, so as to 



