ANGIOSPERMS, a^q 



The Gynoeceum is always the final structure of the flower. When the floral 

 axis has attained a suflicient length, the gynaeceum is formed at its apex ; if the axis 

 is flat, disc-like, or expanded, it stands in the centre of the flower ; if it is hollowed 

 out or cup-shaped, the gynaeceum is placed at the bottom of the hollow, in the centre 

 of which lies the apical point of the floral axis. In the diagram of the flower, 

 Figs. 351 /, and 353 B, where each outer circle represents a lower transverse section, 

 and each inner circle a higher one, the gynaeceum necessarily appears always as 

 the innermost central structure of the flower, the longitudinal displacements on the 

 floral axis being neglected in the construction of the diagram. 



When the axial part of the flower, the Receptacle or Torus, is so elevated in the 



Fig. ^sx.—Fiitomus umbellatus: A flower (natural size); B the gynaeceum (magnified), the perianth and stamens removed, 

 n the stigmas ; C horizontal section through three of the monocarpellary ovaries, each carpel bearing on its inside a number of 

 ovules ; D a young ovule ; E an ovule immediately before fertilisation, ii the integuments, K the nucleus, KS the raphe, em the 

 embryo-sac ; F horizontal section through the stigmatic portion of a carpel (strongly magnified), pollen-grains attached to the 

 stigmatic hairs ; G horizontal section of a quadrilocular anther, but the valves z are so separated at ^ that it then appears 

 bilocular ; // part of an anther-lobe (corresponding to /3 in G), y the point where it has become detached from the connective, 

 e the epidermis, x the fibrous layer of cells (endothecium) ; / diagram of the entire flower ; the perianth // consists of two 

 alternate whorls of three leaves, as also does the androecium, but the stamens of the outer whoriy are double, those of the inner 

 whorl y simple and thicker ; the gynaeceum also consists of two whorls of three carpels, an outer c and an inner whorl c' ; there 

 are therefore six alternate whorls of three, the members of the first staminal whorl being doubled. 



centre that the base of the gynaeceum lies evidently above the stamens, or at least in 

 the middle of the androecium, the perianth and the androecium, or even the 

 whole flower, is said to be hypogynous (Fig. 351). When, on the contrary, the 

 receptacle is hoflowed out like a cup or saucer, bearing the perianth and stamens on 

 its annular margin, while the gynaeceum springs from the bottom (Fig. 353 A), the 

 flower is said to be perigynous. It is obvious that intermediate forms are possible 

 between extreme cases of hypogynous and perigynous flowers; and these are in fact 



