96 THE BIOLOGY OF THE SEASONS 



predominate in Spring, though, again, the type-genus Lilium 

 culminates in Summer. The highly specialised Orchidaceae 

 are distinctly Summer flowers. 



Likewise, among the Dicotyledons, it will be allowed that 

 the hypogynous forms with superior ovaries are more primi- 

 tive than the epigynous forms with inferior ovaries, and the 

 dialypetalous condition more primitive than the gamopetal- 

 ous condition. Here, again, the more primitive come first. 



Earliest of the hypogynous flowers are the Ranun- 

 culaceae : celandine and buttercup, hepatica and anemone, 

 marsh marigold, and so on, appear early all " wearing 

 the trembling pearls of Spring." But the more specialised 

 forms, such as columbine, larkspur, and monkshood, are 

 later, and some clematis belong to Summer. But most 

 of the typical Hypogynae are Spring flowers. The Rosaceae, 

 perigynous forms, are later in starting than the more 

 primitive Ranunculaceae, and reach perfection in late May 

 and through June. 



" Turn," says Mr. Clarke, " to the Epigynae : Capri- 

 foliaceae (honeysuckle) and Rubiaceae (bedstraws), though 

 scattered, predominate in Summer ; Campanulaceae, par- 

 ticularly in late Summer and in Autumn, the finest type, 

 Campanula americana, coming in September. Late in 

 Summer and in September the Lobeliaceae are in fullest 

 perfection, the splendid Lobelia cardinalis and L. syphi- 

 litica being late. And lastly, we meet the vast order 

 Compositae, undoubtedly nearly the highest of flowering 

 plants. So numerous a group would naturally spread 

 throughout the seasons ; but, mark, it comes in all its glory 

 late in August and straightway through the Autumn, when 

 we have, among many, those gorgeous genera, Solidago 

 (Golden rod) and Aster. Here the fact confronts us that 

 in the Autumn the higher Sympetalae hold sweeping pre- 

 dominance over the lower Choripetalae." 



