482, INFERIOR OVARY. 
drical leaf-stalks, by a circle of fibro-vascular cords, 
as in a branch, and which radiate in all directions in 
the blade of the leaf. Now, if (as often happens to 
a slight extent) the central portion of the leaf were 
much depressed, owing to the disproportionate growth 
of the peripheral, as contrasted with the central portions, 
we should have a funnel-like or tubular formation, pre- 
cisely similar to many of the so-called calyx-tubes. 
And, if we further suppose new growths to originate 
from the sides of this funnel or tube, by chorisis or 
enation, we should have the homologue of a tubular 
calyx, to the inner surface of which are attached petals, 
stamens, &c. From the consideration of circumstances 
such as these just detailed, together with that of the 
arrangement of the vascular cords, M. Casimir De Can- 
dolle arrives at the conclusion that the calyx-tube is a 
ring-like projection from an axis whose further direct 
development is arrested. The secondary projections 
or growing-points correspond to the several fibro- 
vascular cords of the primary ring, and are ultimately 
developed into sepals, petals, stamens and ovaries (see 
pp. 394, 509). 
Andrecium.— The main points of morphological interest 
relating to the androecium, referred to in this volume, 
are those concerning the structure of the anther (see 
p. 292), the compound nature of the stamens in some 
orders (see pp. 294, 345), and the nature of the 
andrcecium in orchids (see p. 380). ; 
Inferior ovary—Is the pistil always foliar in its mor- 
phological nature, or is it, in some cases, as Schleiden 
taught, formed from the axis alone? To a great 
extent the reply to this question is dependent on the 
conclusions that may be arrived at as to the true nature 
of the calyx-tube. Considered from a teratological point 
of view, there is no reason for considering the inferior 
ovary tobe purely axial. On the contrary, the evidence 
derived from this source supports the ordinary opinion 
