STRUCTURE OF FRUIT. 165 



calyx with the ovary is constant in Myrtaceae, Cucurbi- 

 tacese, Umbelliferae, &c. ; it never takes place in Cras- 

 sulacese, Salicariae, and, perhaps, in Leguminosae. This 

 last family, however, presents in some cases a commence- 

 ment of adhesion : thus, in Arachis, Jonesia, and some 

 species of Bauhinia, the thecaphore or proper pedicel of 

 the carpel, is laterally united with the calyx. From this 

 fact, it is not impossible, perhaps, but that one day a 

 leguminous plant may be found with an adherent ovary. 



The adhesion of the calyx with the ovary, only takes 

 place at the part where the torus is itself united to the 

 tube of the calyx ; consequently, if the tube be shorter 

 than the ovary, the adhesion can only take place to a 

 certain height, the stamens and petals will arise from the 

 margin of the tube around the ovary, the upper part of 

 which will be free, as in several Ficoids. 



If the tube be as long as the ovary, which is most 

 frequently the case, the adhesion will take place through- 

 out the whole length of the two organs, the stamens and 

 petals will arise at the point of separation, and only the 

 limb of the calyx will be free ; lastly, if the tube be 

 prolonged beyond the ovary, and the torus also beyond 

 it, the ovary is then entirely adherent, and surmounted 

 by a tube, at the top of which arise the stamens and 

 petals, as in Oenothera : in almost every case we remark 

 at the top of the adherent ovary and around the style, a 

 little space usually round, or with as many angles as 

 there are sepals : this is the upper portion of the ovary, 

 which is not covered by the calyx ; sometimes it 

 increases after flowering, and then forms a very evident 

 mark upon the fruit ; it is very large in several Cucur- 

 bitacese, and especially in Cucurbita ^felopejoo ; it is also 

 very remarkable in the Medlar, in several Rubiaceae, 

 and, when carefully observed, w r e find it in almost all, or 

 perhaps in all adherent fruits. This exposed portion of 



