THE P13TIL. 



123 



In a majority of instances it is alone ; but not unfrequently there are several pistils 

 so ad to constitute one or more whorls. When only one exists, it is termed Monogynia^ 

 from two Greek words signifying one 

 female. Digynia will signify two pistils, 

 and so on (as was explained with regard 

 to the stamens), until we arrive at Do- 

 decagynia, which represent about twelve 

 pistils. In this mode eleven orders are 

 added to the classes referred to at 

 page 118; and to these one other is 

 appended viz. Polygynia, which sig- 

 nifies an indefinite number of pistils. 

 The number of pistils, as well as of 

 stamens, forms an essential element in 

 the Linnaean classification, and is so 

 employed that a plant with one stamen 

 and one pistil would be arranged in the 

 class Monandria, and order Monogynia. 



The pistil, like the stamen, is divisi- 

 ble into three parts, each of which, as 

 well as the whole, being a modification 

 of the parts of a leaf. They are, first, 

 the free end or apex, called the stigma 

 (Fig. 236 d] ; second, the dilated base, or ovary (b) ; and, third, the intermediate struc- 

 ture, or style (c). 



The stiff ma is one of the few external parts met with in vegetables, which are not 



Fig. 235, showing a Pistil with recurved ends, and 

 having a leafy character. 



Fig. 236. 



Fig. 237. 



Fig. 238. 



Fig. 236. The pistil in section, showing its turgid stigma, d ; the style, with the conducting tissue, ci 



ovary, b ; peduncle, a. 



Fig. 237. A, a pistil with notched stigma; B, versatile stamens. 

 Fig. 233. Stigmas with collecting hairs. 



covered with cuticle, at least in the vast majority of instances. Its surface ia usually 



