BIOLOGY OF THE FLOWER 



197 



and are ripe before the stigmas. Look for the ovary (ov) 

 and note its position in relation to the ground-level (g). 

 A section across it shows it to be three-celled and to con- 

 tain many ovules on axile placentas. The ovary is inferior 

 and lies one to two inches below the surface of the soil. 



/, 



8 



sc. 



Fig. 135. Vertical Section, 

 Corm and Flower of Crocus. 

 a, anther; c.i, old corm; c.2, 

 young corm ; g, ground-level ; 

 ov, ovary; p, perianth-tube ; sc, 

 scape; sh, sheath; st, stigma; 

 sy, style. 



Fig. 136. 1, Inflo- 

 rescence of Iris. 2, 

 flower with outer peri- 

 anth-leaves removed ; a, 

 anther ; ov, ovary ; sp, 

 spathe ; st, stigma ; sy, 

 petaloid style. 



Arising from the top of the ovary, and nearly filling the 

 perianth-tube, is a very long style which divides at its free 

 end into three large, frilled stigmas (st). The ovary secretes 

 honey which rises high in the tube and so comes within reach 

 of the long-tongued bees, but only insects with very long 



