RANUNGULACE/H. 



ovary, tapering above into a style whicli bears the stigma at its sum- 

 mit. Into tlie inner angle of the ovary are inserted a number of 

 anatropous ovules, placed back to back m two vertical rows. 

 The fruit is formed of several follicles, which may either be 

 sterile,' or dehisce at the inner angle to free one or several seeds 

 containing a fleshy albumen. 



X(nithorh}::a is a small shrub or undershrub which grows in damp 

 localities in N. America. Its branches bear alternate complete leaves, 

 with petioles sheathing at the base, and bearing a blade that is tri- 

 foliolate, or else has a terminal leaflet so deeply lobed as to appear 

 like three leaflets, thus making the leaf pinnately compound. The 

 indefinite branches bear at their summit a bud destined to leno^then 

 out in the following year, covered by scales which represent the 

 sheaths of the leaves.- The inflorescences which arise in spring from 

 the axils of the scales or first-formed leaves, or which may really be 

 terminal," are racemose cymes with slender pendulous axes. The 

 foliage of this plant resembles that of certain Actc(e, but its habit 

 and woody stem appear to remove it from most Banunctilaccce. The 

 Nigell(B, on the contrary, return in this matter to the general cha- 

 racters of the order. 



The first species we shall study of the genus Nicjella is one that 

 we shall term N. GarideUa, which Tournefort considered as the type 



A^ 



Fig. j5. 

 Flower. 



Nigella GarideUa. 



Fig. 16. 

 Longitudinal section of flowi 



of a separate genus, and which Linn^us named GarideUa Ni(jellastrum. 

 Its receptacle is conical and bears successively a regular poly 



' This usually occurs in cultivation. There 

 may be ten carpels in two whorls, and even twelve 

 or thirteen, but a certain number disappear more 

 or less completely. The plant may thus become 

 polygamous. 



^ Some are surmounted by a rudimentary 

 blade. 



^ When the inflorescence is terminal, below it 

 we find one or two leaf-buds, axillary to scales. 

 If later on one of these developes vigorously, it 

 thrusts aside the raceme, making it appear lateral. 



■* Isicjella creticafulio Foejiiculi Kauh.. Pinax., 

 \m.— GarideUa T., Tnst., 655, t. 430. — (., Gen., 

 233.— G. Figclhtstrum L., Spec, 608.— DC, 



