DIV. n 



SPERMATOPHYTA 



549 



the gynaeceum is completely syncarpous, it has only one style and 

 stigma. In Fig. 517 an apocarpous (A) and a syncarpous gynaeceum 

 (C) are represented, together with one in which the carpels are coherent 

 below to form the ovary while the styles are free (B). 



The POSITION OF THE OVULES WITHIN THE OVARY may be erect, 



FIG. 518. Ovary of Con i urn macidatum with 

 pendulous ovules, in longitudinal section. 

 Raphe ventral. (After TSCHIRCH-OSTERLE.) 



FIG. 519. Ovaries containing basal ovules 

 shown in longitudinal section. A, Fago- 

 pj/rnmescwie?i?iun(atropous); B, Armeria 

 maritima (anatropous). (x 20. After 



DOCHARTRE.) 



pendulous, horizontal, or oblique to the longer axis (Figs. 518, 519). 

 In anatropous ovules the raphe is said to be ventral when it is turned 

 towards the ventral side of the carpel, and dorsal if towards the 

 dorsal side of the carpel. 



The differences in the form of the floral axis, which involve changes 

 in the position of the gynaeceum, lead to differences in the form of 

 the flower itself. Some of the commonest cases are diagrammatically 

 represented in Fig. 520 A-C. The summit of the floral axis is usually 



FIG. 520. Diagram of (A ) : hypogynous, (B, B 1 ) perigynous, and (C) epigynous flowers. 

 (After SCHIMPER.) 



thicker than the stalk-like portion below ; it is often widened out 

 and projecting, or it may be depressed and form a cavity. If the 

 whorls of members of the flower are situated above one another on a 

 simple, conical axis, THE GYNAECEUM FORMS THE UPPERMOST WHORL 



AND IS SPOKEN OF AS SUPERIOR, WHILE THE FLOWER IS TERMED 



