III.] 



BERBERIDE^E. 



59 



end of a long spur. The former species are capable 

 of self-fertilisation, the latter are said by H. Miiller 

 to have lost their power. 



BERBERIDE^E. 



The common Berberry is the only British representa- 

 tive of this order, though Epimedium alpinum has 

 by some been considered to be indigenous ; as Mr. 

 Bentham thinks, on insufficient grounds. 



In the common Berberry (Berberis vulgaris), the 

 stamens (Figs. 55 //, 56 a) lie close to the petals and 

 almost at right angles to the pistil, as shown in 



FIG. 55. 



FIG. 56. 



FIG. 55. Flower seen from above. 



FIG. 56. Pistil with two stamens, after the visit of an insect. 



55- The honey-glands (nri) are twelve in 

 number, situated in pairs at the base of the petals, 

 so that the honey occupies the angle between the 

 bases of the stamens and of the pistil. The papil- 

 lary edge of the summit of the pistil (e) is the 

 stigma. In open flowers of this kind it is of course 



