490 



ARISTOLOCIIIACE^E. 



sometimes very irregular (fig. 698); aestivation valvate or induplicate. 

 Stamens 6-12, epigynous, distinct or gynandrous (fig. 701). Ovary 

 inferior, 3-6-celled (figs. 700, 702) ; ovules 00 (fig. 700), anatropal, 



706 



horizontal ; style, simple, short ; stigmas radiating, 3-6 (fig. 701 s). 

 Fruit dry or succulent, 3-6-celled (fig. 703). Seeds (fig. 704) numer- 

 ous ; embryo very minute, at the base of fleshy albumen (fig. 705) ; 

 cotyledons inconspicuous ; radicle next the hilum (fig. 706). Herbs 

 or shrubs, often climbing, with alternate, simple, often stipulate leaves, 

 and solitary axillary flowers. Found in abundance in the 



warm 



Figs. 698-70fi. Organs of fructification of Aristolochia Clematitis, to illustrate the natural order 

 Aristolochiacese. 



Fig. 698. Flower entire, consisting of an inferior ovaiy, and a superior, irregular, funnel- 

 shaped perianth, o, Part of the perianth adherent to the ovary, t, Part of the tube of the 

 perianth, with a swollen portion at the base, enclosing the anthers and stigma. 7, Limb of the 

 perianth prolonged laterally in a tongue-like form. 



Fig. 699. Diagram of the flower, showing three divisions of the perianth, six anthers, and six 

 cells of the ovary. 



Fig. 700. Lower part of the flower cut vertically, o, Ovary with numerous ovules, s, Radi- 

 ating stigma, a, Anthers, c, Swollen part of the tube of the perianth. 



Fig. 701. s, Stigma with the anthers adhering to the column in pairs, o, Summit of the ovary, 

 c, Swollen part of the tube of the perianth. 



Fig. 702. Horizontal section of the six-celled ovary. 



Fig. 703. Ripe fruit. Fig. 704. Angular seed. 



Fig. 705. Seed cut vertically, t, Integument thickened near the chalaza. p, Fleshy peri- 

 sperm, e, Minute embryo. 



Fig. 706. Embryo separated, with cotyledons and radicle. 



