BIOLOGY OF THE FLOWER 



195 



consists of three united carpels. The ovary is superior and 

 divided into three chambers, and above it is a long style, 

 terminating in a three-lobed stigma. Cut the ovary across, 

 and note that the ovules in each chamber are attached to 

 the axis in double rows, i.e. the placentation is axile. Honey 

 is secreted by glands in the ovary-wall between the carpels, 

 and is much sought for by bees. The three outer stamens 

 ripen before the stigma, and the anthers (at first vertical) 



Fig. 133. Wild Hyacinth. 

 1, racemose inflorescence ; 

 2, vertical section of flower ; 

 br, bract ; ov, ovary ; Pe, 

 pedicel ; s, scape. 



Fig. 134. Vertical Section of 

 Daffodil Flower. co, corona ; 

 ov, ovary ; sp, spathe. 



dehisce inwards (introrse dehiscence), then turn horizontally 

 and almost close the entrance to the flower. A bee visiting 

 the flower presses its head into the corolla, forces apart the 

 deeply-divided lobes, and in doing so becomes dusted with 

 pollen. The style now elongates, the stigmas ripen and 

 may become cross-pollinated. At this time the three inner 

 stamens dehisce, and if cross-pollination does not occur, 

 self-pollination is certain, as the three stigma-lobes when 

 ripe come into contact with the anthers. 



Epigynous trimerous flowers.- The Daffodil has three 



N 2 



