NATURAL IlfSTOBY OF PLANTS. 



alternate and five superposed, -all united among tlicmselves below in 

 a tube from wliicb tliey separate/ each supporting a bilocular introrse 

 versatile anther dehiscing by two longitudinal clefts.^ The gynoeceum 

 is free, formed of an ovary generally three celled, the two posterior 

 cells being surmounted by a style divided more or less high, but 



Ei-iithm.riilon Corn. 



82. Flowers (a). 



. Floriferous branch (-J). 



Fig. 83. Long. sect, of 

 flower. 



generally near the base,^ into three branches whose stigmatiferous 

 summit is swollen into a head or club. There is generally but one 

 fertile cell, while the others are empty and often very little developed ; 

 the anterior one is fertile presenting in its internal angle one, or more 

 rarely two descendent ovules, with microj)yle looking outwards and up- 

 wards.* The fruit is a drupe accompanied at the base by the re- 

 mains of the calyx and androceum, and with a stone, often thin, 

 containing a seed whose coats cover an albumen ^ of variable thickness, 



I The base of theii' free part is often encircled 

 by an e.xterior ring or collarette, entire or crenate, 

 I'orraed by the superior edge of the tube. 



" Consequently often extrorse in the exjjanded 

 flower ; the position which it occupies at first in 

 certain living species such as E. Coca. 



' It is in the Indian St//iia,'. (of which it is pro- 



posed to make a completely distinct genns) and 

 in some Brazilian specie.? that the union of the 

 styles extend highest. 



'' It has two coats. 



' It is sometimes reduced to a membrane, 

 oftcner it is fleshy, thick round the radicle, and 

 towards the back of the cotyledons. 



