RANUNCULUS SP. 16^ 



III. THE FLOWERS. 



By using specially prepared slides, make a careful study and 

 comparison with similar structures in Trillium as follows: 



1. The development of the microspores. 



2. The first stages in the germination of the microspores. 



3. The development of the megaspore. 



4. The germination of the megaspore and production of the 

 female gametophyte. 



5. The development of the sporophyte embryo. 



IV. CLASSIFICATION. 



By consulting Gray's or Britton's Manual used in con- 

 nection with Trillium: 



1. Trace in the key to genera in the family Ranunculacea * the 

 genus Ranunculus. 



2. Determine the species of Ranunculus that you have studied. 



ANNOTATIONS. 



This plant serves as an illustration of the group of 

 Angiosperms known as Dicotyledons, and offers some 

 comparisons with the Monocotyledon last studied. The 

 leaves are petioled, net- veined, and "open" at the 

 margin; i.e. the veins end in the margin of the leaf, and 

 are not parallel and ending at the tip of the leaf as in 

 the closed Monocotyledon leaves. It must be borne 

 in mind that in the veining Trillium is not like most 

 Monocotyledons. In that feature the corn plant or 

 lily affords better illustration of the group characteristics. 



The stem of Ranunculus has its vascular bundles so 

 distributed as to form a hollow cylinder, all the xylem 

 strands being next the pith, the phloem strands next 

 the cortex, and the cambium strands between the two. 



1 For any terms unknown, see glossary in either book cited. 



