40 



PISTIL. 



217. When present, it is only an elongation of the 

 ovarium, and is mostly of a cylindrical and filiform 

 shape, varying in length according to circumstances, 

 and its external surface is generally smooth ; it arises 

 at once from the top of the ovarium : though some- 

 times it appears to have its origin more or less on 

 the side, or even towards the base of this body ; this is 

 more apparent than real, for it is caused by the ovarium 

 being irregularly and obliquely developed. 



218. Often the style is simple, but several may be- 

 come massed, or grow together, so as to form a con- 

 tinuous body ; in other cases, when there is a plurality 

 of pistils, the styles of them remain distinct. 



219. The stigma is but a terminal expansion of the 

 style, varying very much indeed in form and appearance : 

 it is characterized generally by being of a swelled and 

 dilated form, and covered with papillae of greater or less 

 magnitude, the surface being destitute of true epidermis. 



220. The most important part of the pistil is the 

 ovarium, a knowledge of which is most essential and 

 necessary. 



221. The true origin of this body is always, of 

 course, superior to the floral envelopes and stamens ; 

 but as in some cases more or less adhesion exists be- 

 tween the ovarium and these structures, so as to make 

 it appear to arise below them, the ovarium is then called 

 inferior, as at (a 31.) 



222. In some cases the axis of the plant, after having 



given off the floral envelopes and stamens, 

 rig. do. - g p ro i on g e( j beyond them for some little 

 distance before the female organ is evolved, 

 as in the Passion-flower. This prolonga- 

 tion of the axis, in such cases, is termed a 

 Gynaphore. 



223. The primary state of evolution of 

 the female organ or pistil, is leaflike and 

 foliaceous, and to this leaflike structure, 

 out of which the pistil is formed, the term 

 of carpel, or carpellary leaf, is applied. 



