XVI INTEODUCTION TO BOTANY. 



A compound ovarj' is, 



bi-, tri-, quadri-^ etc., or multilocular, according to the number of the 

 cells, or lociili, 2, 3, 4, or many. 



110. In general the nimiber of cells or dissepiments, complete or partial, 

 or of rows of ovules, corresponds vriih that of the carpels, of which the 

 ovary is composed. But sometimes each carpel is divided completely or 

 pai-tially into two cells, or has two rows of o\Tiles, so that the number of 

 carpels appears double what it really is. Sometimes, again, the carpels 

 are so completely combined as to form a single cell, with a single 0%'ule, 

 although it really consists of several carpels ; but in these cases the ovary 

 is generally described as it appears, as well as such as it is theoretically 

 supposed to be. 



111. In apocarpous ovaries the styles are usually free, each bearing its 

 own stigma ; very rarely (as in Asclepiackcs) the larger portion of the 

 styles or the stigmas alone are united, while the carpels remain separate. 



112. S^Ticarpous flowers are said to have, 



several styles, when the styles are free from the base. 



one style with several branches, when the styles are connected at the 



base, but separate below the point where the stigmas or 



stigmatic surfaces commence. 

 one simjjle style with several stigmas, when imited up to the point 



where the stigmas or stigmatic siu-faces commence, and then 



separating. 

 one simple style, with branched, lobed, toothed, notched, or entire stigma 



(as the case may be) when the stigmas also are more or less 



united or subdivided. 



113. In general the number of styles, or of branches of the style or 

 stig-mas, is the same as that of thecarpels, but sometimes that number is 

 doubled, especially in the stigmas, and sometimes the stigmas are much 

 subdivided or poiicillate, that is, divided into a tuft of hair-like branches, 

 as in some species of Drosera. 



114. An entire stigma is said to be punctiform when it appears like 

 the mere point of the style; capitate, when globular, like the head of a pin. 



115. ^\\.Q p)lacenta is the part of the inside of the ovary to which ovules 

 are attached, sometimes a mere point or line on the inner surface, often 

 more or less thickened or raised. Placentation therefore is the indication 

 of the part of the ovary to which ovules are attached. 



116. The placentas are, 



axile, when the ovules are attached to the axis or centre, that is, in 

 plurilocidar ovaries, when they are attached to the inner angle 

 of the cell ; in unilocular simple ovaries (which have almost 

 always an excentrical stjde or stigma) when the ovules are 

 attached to that side of the ovarj^ nearest to the style ; in imi- 

 locular compound ovaries, when the o^^lles are attached to a 

 central axis, cushion, or column, rising up from the base of the 

 ca\'ity, and either free at the top (free central placenta), or 

 attached also to the summit of the ca-s-ity. 



parietal, when the ovules are attached to the inner surface or walls 

 of the cavity of a one-celled compovmd ovary. Parietal pla- 

 centae are usually slightly thickened or raised lines; some- 

 times broad surfaces nearly covering the inner surface of the 

 caA^ty ; sometimes projecting far into the cavity and constitu- 

 ting partial dissepiments, and even meeting in the centre, but 

 without cohering there. In the latter case the distinction 

 between the one-celled and several-celled ovary sometimes 

 almost disappears. 



