DICOTYLEDONS: RANALES. 673 



the axils of the leaves, and appear in the spring before the leaves. 

 They hang by long pedicels, and the petals are absent. The 

 calyx is bell-shaped, and 4~9-cleft on the margin. The stamens 

 vary also in number in about the same proportion. A section of 

 the flower in fig. 558 shows the arrangement of the parts, the 

 ovary in the center. The ovary has either one or two locules, and 

 two styles. The mature fruit has one locule, and is margined 

 with two winged expansions as shown in the figure. This kind 

 of a seed is a samara. 



SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDY OF THE ELM. 



1163. The elm (TJlmus americana). 



Leaves. What is the arrangement of the leaves on the shoot? Sketch 

 a leaf showing its attachment to the shoot, and the relation of the stipules; 

 note how easily the stipules fall away. 



The inflorescence. Describe the inflorescence; a single flower; sketch 

 a single flower in the position in which it stands on the tree. Cut away 

 the floral envelope on one side; determine the number of stamens; the 

 number of pistils; are the pistils single or compound? Of how many 

 carpels is it composed ? Sketch a flower with the front part of the envelope 

 and the front stamens removed. What part of the floral envelope is pres- 

 ent? What is its character and form? What are the relations of the 

 sets of the flower to each other ? In time of appearance how do the flowers 

 compare with the leaves? 



Describe the mature fruit; how many seed are present? What parts 

 of the flower are united in the fruit ? What is the fruit called ? 



Material. Spray of leaves and flowers; it may be necessary to collect 

 them at different times. Leafy shoots should be collected while some of 

 the leaves are still young in order to preserve some with the stipules, and 

 they may be preserved dry and pressed. Fruits collected at the time of 

 maturity may be preserved dry. 



ORDER RANALES. 



1164. Lesson IX. The crowfoot family (Ranunculaceae). 



The marsh-marigold (Caltha palustris) is a member of this family. 

 The leaves are heart-shaped or kidney-shaped, and the edge is 

 crenate. The bright golden-yellow flowers have a single whorl 

 of petal-like envelopes, and according to custom in such cases 

 they are called sepals. The number is not definite, varying from 



