484 ANGIOSPERMS 



pistils, and the number of each is indefinite, while in the Apple 

 there are generally five united carpels, and in the Peach, Plum, 

 Cherry, and Almond the number of carpels has settled down to 

 one. There is also a noticeable tendency toward epigyny, for 

 perigyny, which is common in the family, is a step toward 

 epigyny (Fig. 431}. The Rose family is the family of fruits. 

 It includes Apples, Pears, Peaches, Plums, Apricots, Cherries, 



FIG. 431. Some flowers of the Rose family. At the left, a Strawberry 

 flower, which has many stamens and pistils and is hypogynous; next, a flower 

 of an Agrimony, and, at the extreme right, a Pear flower, both of which are 

 perigynous and have few pistils with ovaries joined. 



Quinces, Strawberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, and some 

 others. No one can estimate what this family contributes to 

 the welfare of mankind. 



Some, like the Roses, Spireas, and Hawthornes, are impor- 

 tant ornamental plants. Some of them, as the Cinquefoils 

 or Five-fingers and the Agrimonies, are weeds. The Five- 

 fingers grow in fields and crowd out other plants, while the 

 Agrimonies grow in pastures, and their spiny fruits get in the 

 wool and hair of live stock. 



Closely related to the Rose family is the Saxifrage family 

 (Saxifragaceae) , the family to which the Gooseberry, Currant, 

 Syringa, and Hydrangea belong. 



Pea Family (Leguminosae) . The Pea family, which includes 

 about 7000 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees, is the largest 

 group of the Archichlamydeae. The flowers are hypogynous 

 or somewhat perigynous, and the parts of the calyx and corolla 

 are generally in fives. The stamens are usually 10, and 9 or all 

 of them are joined. The petals are often irregular, as those of 

 the Beans and Peas illustrate, and also show a tendency to 



