METHOD OF KXAMIXATJOX 71 



Monocarpellary, orSiini)le Pistil (Figs. 219 and 220), and tlint ordinarily 

 the carpels alternate with the stamens of the adjacent circle. The parts 

 of the pistil have been defined, and it has been shown that of these the 

 stipe or thecaphore is rarely present, and that the style is very fre- 

 quently absent, resulting in the Sessile Stigma. The different forms of 

 adhesion and its effects, as well as those of suppression and metamor- 

 phosis, have also been explained. Some additional facts of a general 

 nature must be considered before taking up the details of this subject. 

 Method of Examination. — The student should from the outset resist 

 the temi)tation to seek the characters of the gynaecium in the mature 

 or immature fruit, because of its more convenient size. While many 

 of the characters of the gynaecium are permanent, there are others 

 which (lisai)])ear after the fertilization of the ovules, and still others 

 which only then make their appearance. The other ])arts of the flower 

 should be completely stripped oft", this operation being performed under 

 close and continuous scrutiny, with the idea of detecting any character- 

 istics of relationship between them and the gynaecium. The latter 

 should then be carefully examined in situ. An implement should be 

 passed down between the carpels to determine what degree of cohesion, 

 if any, exists between them, for this will occasionally be found at the 

 very base only, and also to determine if there be any adhesion to a 

 central prolongation of the torus. The details of attachment to the 

 torus must also be determined and their arrangement considered. 

 When numerous, the pistils are apt to assume the spiral arrangement, 

 which has already been noticed in referring to the position of floral 

 l)arts in general. When solitary, the carpel assumes a position to one 

 side of the axis, thus demonstrating its isolation through the suppres- 

 sion of the complementary ])arts of the circle. A lack of uniformity, 

 as indicating abortion of one or more carpels, must be looked for. 

 When all are uniformly aborted, in the case of flowers which are herma- 

 j)hro(lite but imi)crfect, this fact will sometimes escajic detection unless 

 both forms of flower are examined. The color, texture, and surface of 

 the carjx'Is call for minute exaiiiination in all cases, though there are 

 no peculiarities of a general nature diil'ering from those of the other 

 organs. As in the case of the petals, so in that of the carpels, the general 

 form is determined by that of the foliage leaves; but the form is less 

 closely preserved and the homology is far less a])])arent here than there, 

 owing to the far more ])r()foun(l modifications which are rendered 

 necessary by the j)eculiar functions of the carpels, a consideration which 

 will further on be seen to a])])ly with special force to tin- fruiting stage. 



