ELEMENTS OF STRUCTURAL BOTANY. 



85 



CHAPTER VI. 



Fig. 50. Fig. 40. 



EXAMINATION OF A PLANT WITH EPIGYNOUS STAMENS 



W.\TER PARSNIP. 



IG. Water-Parsnip. This is a common swamp 

 lilantin Cauatia ; but if any dilli- 

 '^-^iiMlT^^: culty be experienced in procuring 

 ^ig-51. "jf^v -,,^^ specimens the flower of the com- 

 1/ '^f mon Carrot or Parsnip may be 

 substituted for it, all these plants 

 being closely related, and differ- 

 ing but slightly in the structure 

 of their flowers. 



Notice first the peculiar ap- 

 pearance of the flower cluster. 

 (Fig. 49.) There are several 

 pedicels, nearly of the same 

 length, radiating from the end of the peduncle, 

 and from the end of each pedicel radiate in like 

 manner a number of smaller ones, each with a flow^er 

 at its extremity. Such a cluster is known as an 

 Knihi'l. If, as in the present case, there are groups of 

 secondary pedicels, the umbel is cowjxnind. As the 

 flowers are very small we shall be obliged to use the 

 lens all through the examination. Even with its aid 

 you will have a little difiiculty in making out the calyx, 

 the tube of which, in this flower, adheres to the surface 

 of the ovary, as in "Willow-herb, and is reduced above 

 to a mere rim or border, of five minute teeth. The 

 petals are five in number, and free from each other. 

 Observe that each of them is incurved at its extremity. 

 (Fig. 50.) They are inserted on a dish which crcnvns the 



