DODECATHEON. 163 



any definite form. The leaves, sheathing tlie scape at the 

 base and springing with it from the crown (radical), are 

 oblong, obtuse, nearly entire, and smooth. The inflores- 

 cence is an umbel. 



The Flower Regiox. — The Flowers are 5-parted (^), 

 complete, perfect, regular, symmetrical, gamopetalous (al- 

 though the petals are almost separate). What of the calyx ? 

 What of the stamens ? Here is an arrangement like that in 

 Claytonia (p. 41). The 5 stamens stand opposite to (oppos- 

 ing) the 5 petals. The slender anthers are coninvent in a 

 slender cone inclosing the thread-like style. The ovary and 

 fruit are superior, 1-celled. The many ( oo ) seeds are 

 affixed to a central erect column — that is, to a free central 

 placenta. Is the ovary simple or compound ? Probably 

 compounded of 5 carpels, since the other organs are in 5s. 

 But the fusion is so intimate as to leave no trace of the 

 seams, lobes, or cells ; nor does the st3de or stigma give any 

 indications. This is extraordinary. Compare the triple 

 pistil and capsule of Erythronium (p. 32). 



The Name, Dodccdtheon (dodelca, twelve, theoi, gods) 

 was conferred by Linnaeus as if the flowers (about 12 in 

 number) were so many little divinities — a poetic fancy not 

 unworthy of the great naturalist. D. Meddla, the specific 

 name given by Catesby, in honor of Dr. Mead, the dis- 

 coverer, was originally intended for the genus. 



Scientific Terms,— Free central placenta. Opposing stamens. 



contrivance to secure crossing. An insect lighting upon a short-styled flower would 

 naturally dust its head with pollen from the stamens clustered about the mouth of the 

 tube ; on going to a long-styled flower, its head, covered with pollen, would at once 

 come in contact with the sticky pistil at the opening of the tliroat ; and nee n/va, 

 pollen would in the same way be carried from a long-styled flower to fertilize a short- 

 styled one. — It is curious to note also how the flower is, so to speak, " made the most 

 of" in the floral competition for insect services by a simple contrivance. The corolla 

 being deeply cleft aiul each petal bent backward, brings every part of the surface into 

 conspicuous notice. 



