880 



DICOTYLEDONES. 



Adonis, Pceonla. The perianth of the Rannnculaceae is considered by Prantl 

 to .be usually petaloid. The nectaries arise in the Ranunculacese (1) on 

 normal stamens (Clematis sect. Viorna), (2) on the honey-leaves (this is 

 generally the case), and (3) on the carpels (Caltha and the majority of Trollius- 

 species). As the result of his researches upon the Ranunculaceae, Prantl 

 does not agree with the view advanced by Drtule (Schenk, Hand. d. Bot. iii.) 

 that the petals in general have proceeded from the metamorphosis of the 

 stamens (K)~\ . 



FIG. 373. Ovaries in longitudinal section: the ventral suture; d the dorsal suture : 

 A, B Clematis; C Ranunculus ; D Mijosurus. 



Tlie most primitive form of fruit is undoubtedly the pod formed by one carpel, 

 on the edges of which (along the ventral suture) two rows of ovules are situated : 

 Paeoniere, Helleboreae, Delphinieas (Fig. 379). In a great many genera the 

 number of ovules has been limited to one perfect one, which is placed in the 

 central plane under the united leaf-edges, and sometimes also some barren 

 ovules above it (Fig. 373). The fruitlets in this case become achenes, and 

 are present in much larger numbers than when there are follicles. 



FIG. 374. Helleborus niger : A flower; B receptacle; pet petals FIG. 375. Caltha 



.(honey-leaves); pi stamens and carpels; C seed ; D anther (cross palustris: fruit, 



section); alb endosperm. 



The following have FOLLICLES : Pasoniese, Helleborese (except 

 Actaeo) and Delphiniese ; ACHENES: Ranunculese, Anemoneae and 

 Clematideas. 



