106 



OKGANOGRAPHY AND GLOSSOLOGY. 



(Lychnis, fig. 587) ; it is then ventral (h. ventralis), and when the seed is flattened 



(Madder) it is described as depressed (s. depressum), or peltate (s. peltatum) if it is 



convex on one side and concave 



on the other (Lychnis, Stellaria). 



In these latter cases it is difficult 



and superfluous to determine the 



top of the seed, but it is easy and 



581. Setlnni. 

 Flower cut vertically (inng.). 



682. Valerian. 

 Flower cut vertically (mag.). 



583. Plumbago. 

 Flower cut vertically (mag.). 



important to distinguish the ventral face, i.e. that facing the placenta, and the dorsal 

 or opposite face. The seed is erect (s. erectum) when it is fixed to the bottom of the 

 cavity of the fruit (Nettle, fig. 578; Saye, fig. 579). It is ascending (s. ascendens), 

 when, being fixed to a central or parietal placenta, its top is turned towards that of 

 the fruit (Sedum, fig. 581 ; Apple, fig. 570). The seed is reversed (s. inversum) when 

 its base corresponds to the top of the fruit, whether the placenta is immediately 

 under the style (Valerian, fig. 582), or at the bottom of the ovary, in which case the 

 seed is suspended from an ascending basal funicle (Plumbago, fig. 583). The seed is 

 suspended, pendent (s. pendulum), when it is fixed to a central or parietal placenta, 

 with its top turned towards the base of the fruit (Apricot, Almond, fig. 583 bis). 

 The distinction between reversed and pendulous seeds is often very slight, and 

 these terms are often used indifferently to describe a seed of which the free end 

 faces the bottom of the fruit. The seed is horizontal when fixed to a central or 

 parietal placenta, with its axis at right angles to that of the fruit (Aristolochia, Lily, 

 fig. 584). 



In certain two-ovuled ovaries one 

 ovule may be pendulous and the other 

 ascending (Horse-chestnut, fig. 585) ; in 

 others with many seeds or ovules, some 

 are ascending, others pendulous, and 

 those in the centre horizontal (Colum- 

 bine). All the terms indicating the 

 position of the seed are equally applicable 

 to that of the ovule. 



The radicle is superior (r. supera) 

 when it points to the top of the ovary ; 

 it is inferior (r. in/era] when it faces the bottom; thus corresponding to the erect and 



683 bit. Almond. 



584. Lily. 



Ovary cut 



transversely (mag ). 



585. Horse-cliestmit. 



Pistil cut 

 vertically (mag.). 



