214 



THE FLOWER. 



It is not possible by any direct demonstration to distinguish be- 

 tween such productions of the receptacle, which are classed as 

 belonging to the axis, and suppressed or undeveloped phyllous 

 organs, such as stamens, which glands of the disk may some- 

 times represent. 



395. Hypanthium. Inspection of Fig. 415, 416, and 337, and 

 comparison with Fig. 339, will suggest an explanation differ- 

 ent from that which is generally 

 adopted. Instead of regarding the 

 calyx as beginning on a level with 

 the base of the ovary, and the cup 

 as lined, more or less thickly, by 

 an expansion of the receptacle (the 

 perigynous disk) , 

 the calyx may be 

 understood to begin 

 where this and the 

 ovary become free 

 from each other. 

 Underthat view, the 

 receptacle, instead 

 of convex or protu- 

 berant, is here con- 

 cave, has grown up 

 419 around the ovaiy, 

 which, however, is free from the cup in the earlier cited figures, 

 but immersed in it in Fig. 339 and the like. A comparison with 

 a rose-hip, an apple, and a pear much strengthens this interpre- 

 tation, which is rather largely adopted at this day, at least 

 theoretically. It was perhaps first proposed by Link, who intro- 

 duced the appropriate name of HYPANTHUM. A hypanthium or 

 hypanthial receptacle is, as the name betokens, a flower-axis or 

 receptacle developed mainly under the calyx. The name is a 

 good one, in an}^ case ; and such structures as those of Calycan- 

 thus (Fig. 417-419), a rose, a pear (the lower part of which is 

 evidently an enlargement of peduncle), and of Cactus-flowers 

 (Fig. 317), although quite compatible with the theory of aclnation, 

 are more simply explained b}* it. 1 



1 But, whether the cases are well distinguishable or not, it by no means 

 follows that the receptacle plays such a part in all instances of perigyny and 

 of inferior or partly inferior ovary. Such a view is attended by more diffi- 

 culties than the other. Unless the mediation of an invisible receptacle must 



FIG. 417. Flowering branch of Calycanthus. 418. Vertical section of the urn -shaped 

 receptacle, the imbricated bracts or sepals on its surface cut away. 419. Mature 

 fructiferous receptacle entire, showing some scars from which the bracts have fallen. 



