1J8 REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS. CHAP. III. 



consists of at least two, but very generally o three 

 distinct parts, the ovary, the style, and stigma, or 

 summit. 



The Ova- The ovary is the lower extremity of the pistil, 

 supporting the style and stigma ; and containing 

 the rudiments of the future seed. Linnaeus gave 

 it the name of the germe or gern^t).* But as 

 the term germen seems to denote rather the 

 embryo itself, than the substance in which it is 

 contained, I think the term ovary is entitled to the 

 preference, denoting, as it does^ merely the integu- 

 ment or receptacle of the embryo, the idea meant 

 to be expressed. But there is also another reason 

 for the preference here given, owing to that appli- 

 cation of the term germe, or germen, by which it 

 has been already made to signify a bulb, or bud. 

 Its situa- If the ovary is situated immediately upon the 

 j!erior S or U ~ base or receptacle of the flower, as in Arbutus, 

 inferior. -^ - g ga ^ to j^ sess j] e . if ft } s supported upon a 



pedicle elevating it above the base of the flower, 

 as in the Poppy, it is said to be stipitate ; if it is 

 situated below the insertion of the calyx, as in the 

 Rose and Apple, it is said to be inferior ; if it is 

 situated above the insertion of the calyx and en- 

 closed within it, it is said to be superior, as in the 

 Primrose ; and if it is situated partly above and 

 partly below the insertion of the calyx, it is said 

 to be semi-superior, as in Saxifraga riwalis. In 



* Phil. Bot. Sect. 102. 



