80 THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE PHANEROGAMIC FRUIT. 



A second divergence from recognized views is the assumption that two kinds of 

 carpels take part in the formation of many ovaries, i.e. an outer series, destitute 

 of ovules, forming the ovarian cavity, and an inner, ovuliferous series variously 

 metamorphosed into cushions, strings, ridges, &c. This view is supported not only 

 by extensive investigations into the development of ovaries, but also by a number 

 of cases of antholysis which throw considerable light on obscure points of ovarian 

 morphology. 



As we shall refer frequently to this state of Antholysis it will be well to state 

 at once, briefly, exactly what is meant by the term. Everyone is acquainted with 

 the "double flowers" of Roses, Snowdrops, Carnations, Primroses, Tulips, &c., so 

 common in cultivation. Into the cause of their origin we shall inquire later on; 

 here it is suflacient to note that in double flowers we find (1) that the stamens are 

 entirely or in part transformed into petals, occasionally into carpels; (2) that a 

 multiplication of the perianth-leaves, stamens, and carpels is apparent, and (3) that 

 with this change is often combined a greening of the parts not usually green, and 

 (4) a general loosening and separation of parts which in ordinary, single flowers 

 are fused with one another. Especially do we find those leaf-structures which 

 normally are united to form the ovary loosened and increased; they are produced 

 as flattened structures, having much the appearance of green leaves. One finds 

 frequently all possible transitions in one and the same flower, so that the various 

 stages in the conversion of carpels into green leaves can be readily followed. 



In cases of antholysis where the parts of the ovary show a transformation into 

 green leaves, one feels justified in regarding the structures in question as foliar in 

 nature. Especially is this so when none of the ascertained facts of development 

 militate against this view. In the same way such parts as never assume the forms 

 of leaves in these " loosened " or segregated flowers may be interpreted as stem- 

 structures — always provided that developmental history harmonizes with this view. 



In the cursory review of types of ovarian structure given in the last few pages 

 it was stated that in some cases carpels of one kind only are present, whilst in 

 other cases carpels of two kinds contribute to the formation of the ovary. This 

 statement is based in part on facts gleaned from an examination of these loosened, 

 antholytic, or so-called "monstrous" flowers. The antholytic flowers of a Larkspur 

 (Delphinium cashmirianum) reproduced in figs. 210 ^"^ show unmistakably that 

 only a single whorl of carpels is present and that each of them bears ovules on its 

 margins. Similarly those of the Japanese Primrose (Primula japonica) represented 

 in figs. 211 ^' 2- ^> *• ^' ^' '^' demonstrate that here two sorts of carpels are concerned, i.e. 

 outer foliaceous ones destitute of ovules, and inner ovuliferous ones modified into 

 a cushion. 



Having described the chief forms assumed by the ovarian cavity, we may pass 

 on to speak of its most important contents, the ovules. All ovules agree in this: 

 that at the time of fertilization they consist of masses of tissue, exhibiting a difier- 

 entiation into central and peripheral cells, and also in the fact that one of the cells 

 of the central portion is destined to become an embryo. In the majority of 



