BANUNGULACE2E. 



11 



on account of the organization of its ovary and the structure of its 

 fruit (figs. 24-2G). The cells of the ovary, usually five in number, 



. / 



Fig. 24. 

 Diagram. 



Nigella damascmna. 



PiCx. 25. 



Fruit. . 



Fig. 26. 

 Transverse section cf fruit. 



are united for nearly tlieir whole length,' and are surmounted by as 

 many free, acute, persistent styles." The fruit is a capsule, dehiscing 

 when ripe by five longitudinal clefts which pass through the middle 

 of the summit of each cell and the base of the style. IMoreover the 

 convex walls of these cells separate into two layers, of which the 

 outer retains its normal position, while the inner enwraps the seeds. •■* 

 Hence results outside of each cell a false cell formed in the thickness 

 of the pericarp itself. The ovules are numerous, in two vertical rows.^ 

 Thev become seeds with a wrinkled or rugose surface, containing a 

 small embryo near the apex of the abundant fleshy albumen." 



All these plants, which we unite into the one genus Nif/cUa,^ are 

 annual herbs, indigenous in the temperate regions of Europe and 



^ De Schlechtekdal {Bot. Zeit., No. 51, 

 Dee. 1857), has found plants with abnormal 

 carpels, cohering but little at their base, as in 

 fig. 21. 



^ Along the inner border of the style runs a 

 longitudinal groove with stigniatiferous lips. 

 These at a certain age are twisted on themselves 

 near the tip. 



* This layer consists only of pretty irregular 

 cells, with well marked outlines. In cultivation 

 tiie Nigellce often bear proliferous fruits. The 

 axis, after producing normal carpels, elongates a 

 little to produce others interior to these. 



^ The coats of these ovules are impregnated 

 with an orange yellow colouring matter, which 

 disappears in tlic ripe seeds. 



•'' These seeds have a pungent taste like those 

 of most Nigella ; especially N. safiiHi, which is 

 used instead of pejiper. 



« Nigella T., Li.s-t., 25S, t. 1.3 1.— L., G,,i., 

 n.685.— JiTSS., Gen., 233.— DC, Prodr., i. kS.— 

 SrACH, Suit, (i Bitff., vii. 301. — Kivoi.., GtH.,\\. 

 1.79 k — Payer, Organog., 217, t. liv. — H. 

 H., Gen. 8, n. 22.— II. Hn., Adansonin, iv. 

 44.. 



