CUP FLOWERS 313 
and the five-petaled corolla, tubular below, but open 
and flat above. The five stamens are borne on the inside 
of the tubular part of the corolla, and their anthers are 
united around the style, as in the 
Sunflower. The ovule also is 
quite like that in the Sunflower. 
On ripening the upper part of 
the cup becomes prolonged into 
a slender beak far beyond the 
ovary carrying the spreading Fie. 194.—Dandelion. 
calyx whorl upon its summit, 
and forming a veritable parachute which readily carries 
away the achene and its seed in even the lightest of 
breezes. 
577. Here it may be remarked that the Dandelion 
shows the highest development of flower structure found 
in the Anthophyta, and so it may be considered as the 
highest plant in the Vegetable Kingdom. 
Laboratory Studies. (a) With longitudinal sections of the 
flowers of Spiraea make out especially the thickened cup (torus), 
the smaller number of several-seeded carpels (five), and the 
many stamens. 
(b) Examine externally and in longitudinal section flowers 
and “apples” of any rose (Rosa). Note the great number of 
one-seeded carpels (resembling those of Strawberry), and sta- 
mens, and the deeply hollowed out, fleshy, receptacular cup, 
comparing with Spiraea. 
(c) Making comparisons with the Rose examine in a similar 
way the flowers and fruit of the Apple (Malus), or Pear (Pirus), 
Quince (Cydonia) or Hawthorn (Crataegus), noting especially 
the great thickening of the torus and its adherence to the five 
united carpels. 
(d) Make vertical sections of Plum flowers (Prunus) so as 
to show the single free pistil (of one carpel) at the bottom of the 
cup, and the many stamens on its margin. Make cross-sections 
of growing plums (fruits) showing stony endocarp, and fleshy 
