346 THE CROWFOOT FAMILY 



simple pistils as those of the marsh-marigold are called carpels^ 

 and are regarded as representing each a single egg-sac leaf 

 just as a stamen is a single pollen-sac leaf. Taken together 

 the carpels form the (jynmcium - of the flower, while the 

 stamens collectively form the androeciiwi.^ Near the base of 

 each carpel is a gland that secretes drops of a sweet fluid, 

 called nectar ^ which attracts insects, and from Avhich they 

 make honey. In each ovary of the marsh-marigold, as will 

 be noticed, there are several ovules attached to that part of 

 the wall lying nearest the center of the flower along a line 

 running from top to bottom — such a line as would be made 

 by the edges of a folded leaf where they came together. Thus 

 the carpel of a marsh-marigold may be likened to a leaf 

 bearing ovules along its edges and these joined so as to form 

 an ovary. That part of an ovary wall which bears the ovules 

 is called the -placenta; ^ and when as in this case it extends 

 along the front side of the ovary (that toward the center 

 of the flower) the placenta is said to be ventral.^ The oppo- 

 site side or back of the carpellary leaf, commonly marked hy 

 a ridge representing the midrib, is distinguished as the 

 dorsal '' aspect. 



The ovules of marsh-marigolds are essentially like those 

 of flax and of all the crowfoot family. We may distinguish 

 in each ovule a little stalk, the funicle,^ which continues as a 

 ridge, the raphe, ^ along the side of the main part or body of 

 the ovule. At the small end is a minute opening, the micro- 

 pyle.^° An ovule which is bent so that the micropyle comes 

 next to the funicle, or point of attachment, is termed anat- 

 ropous.^^ 



^ Car'-pel < Gr. knrpos, fruit, as being essentially the fruit produc- 

 ing part. 



^ Gy-noc'-ei-um < Gr. gijnc, female; oihos, house. 



^ An-droe'-ci-uni < Gr. (indros, male. 



^ Nec'-tar < Gr. nckiar, the drink of the gods. 



^ Pla-cen'-ta < L. a little cake, from its cake-like form in certain 

 cases. 



^ Ven'tral < L. renler, belly. ' 



" Dor'sal < L. dorsum, back. 



** Fu'-ni-de < \j. funiculus, diminutive o[ funis, a cord. 



■' Ra'phe < Gr. rhaphe, a seam. 



'" Mi-cro-pyle < Gr. micros, small; pi/Ic, gate. 



" A-nat'-ro-pous < Gr. ana, back; Irvpcin, turn. 



