ANGIOSPERMS. 



371 



The gynaeceum is always the terminal structure of the flower. When the floral 

 axis is sufficiently elongated it occupies the highest place in it ; if that is flat and 

 expanded, the gynaeceum is in the centre of the flower ; if the axis is hollowed out 

 and cup-shaped, the gynaeceum is at the bottom of the cavity, in the centre of which 

 is the apical point of the floral axis. In the diagram of the flower (Fig. 299 /), in 

 which each outer circle represents a genetically lower transverse section, and each 

 inner circle a morphologically higher one, the gynaeceum always appears as the 

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

 axis being disregarded in the construction of the diagram. 



FIG. 301. Flower of Elaeagnus 

 fusca* A longitudinal section, rfdisc. 

 B diagram of flower. 



FIG. 300. Longitudinal section of the inferior ovary of 

 Eryngium campestre; II sepals, c petal, f filament, gr style, h 

 disc, KK nucellus of the ovule, * integument, s funiculus, st spikes. 



If the axial portion of the flower, the torus, is so far elevated in the centre that 

 the base of the gynaeceum lies plainly above the stamens or at least in the middle of 

 the androecium, the perianth and androecium, or even the whole flower, are said to be 

 hypogynous, and the ovary is superior (Fig. 299); if on the other hand the torus is 

 hollowed out into a cup and bears the perianth and stamens on its annular margin, 

 while the gynaeceum springs from the bottom (Fig. 301 A\ the flower is said to be 

 perigynous ; it is obvious that intermediate forms are possible between typical hypo- 

 gynous and perigynous flowers, and such forms are in fact frequent, especially in the 



B b 2 



