STRUCTURE OF FLOWERS. 73 



of the ovaries of several carpels. It is usual in this case 

 to say, very improperly, that the plant is monogynous 

 and polystylous, or with one ovary and several styles ; 

 whilst, perhaps, it would be better to say that it is 

 Gamogastrous, or has its ovaries united. The union 

 of the ovaries may take place by the base only, as in 

 Nigella orientalis ; or halfway, as in Nigella arvensis; or 

 as far as the apex, which is the case most frequently ; 

 the partial ovaries united half way form those which are 

 said to be split or branched. 



When, besides the ovaries, the partial styles are also 

 united together, there results from their cohesion a style 

 apparently single, but formed in reality of as many par- 

 tial ones as there are carpels. It is then said that the 

 flower is Monostylous, which would be more correctly 

 expressed by the word Gamostylous. In this case the 

 stigmata or the branches which bear them are distinct ; 

 they are always equal to, or double the number of that 

 of the cells of the ovary ; they are equal in number when 

 the styles which arise from each placenta are united 

 together as far as the apex ; double the number when 

 they remain distinct towards the top. Thus the Euphor- 

 biacese have indifferently three or six stigmata, when 

 there are three primitive carpels. 



Lastly, when the partial stigmata are all united to- 

 gether, there results an apparently simple one, some- 

 times round, at others more or less divided into angles 

 or protuberances, the number of which is equal to, or 

 double that of the carpels, which are then entirely united. 



The cohesion may take place in an inverse manner. 

 Thus, for example, in several Asclepiadea? the ovaries 

 remain free and distinct, and the partial styles are united 

 into a single body, as in Asclepias ; sometimes the styles 

 are so short, that the union only takes place in the stig- 

 mata, as is seen in Stapelia. This kind of organization 



