APrENDIX A 



517 



by increase in number of the stamens, or of the carpels ; by the sinking of the 

 carpels more or less completely into the receptacle, so as to give a half-inferior 

 or an inferior ovarj' ; and in some cases by reduction of the number of the 

 carpels to two or only one. The number of ovules may also be reduced. But 

 still the main framework of the flower remains the same. Most of the related 

 plants bear stipulate leaves. 



Fig. 422. 



Median section of tlie flower of Saxifrage, 

 showing the carpels half sunk in the recep- 

 tacle, and coherent for the greater part of 

 their length. (After Figuier.); 



Family : Saxifragaceae. Example : Meadow Saxifrage. 



(24) The White Meadow Saxifrage {Saxifraga gramtlala, L.) is a frequent 

 herb of grass-land, and banks. It bears at its base pink bulbils, by which it 

 multiplies vegetatively, associated with radical leaves. The flowering stem 

 bears leaves below, and a definite cymose inflorescence above, with few large 

 flowers. The whole plant has glandular 



hairs. The flower-stalk widens out into a 

 green hemispherical region ; this encloses 

 the base of the ovary, which is thus half- 

 inferior ; while the other floral parts are 

 inserted on its margin (Fig. 422). The 

 flower consists of : 



Calyx, sepals 5, polysepalous, seated on 

 the margin of the receptacle ; the odd 

 sepal is posterior. 



Corolla, petals 5, polypetalous, alternat- 

 ing with the sepals. 



Androeciimi, stamens 5-t5. the petaline 

 outermost (obdiplostemonous) inserted 

 round the half-sunk carpels, i.e. half- 

 epigynous. 



Gynoecium, carpels 2, half-inferior, obUque ; united in their lower part, 

 but separate above, with distinct styles and capitate stigmas (half-syn- 

 carpous). Ovary bilocular, ovules numerous, placentation axile. 



Fruit, a dry capsule, with longitudinal dehiscence. 



Pollination. The flowers are protandrous, the inner series of stamens 

 ripening first ; then the outer. Nectar is secreted at the upper surface of the 

 ovary. The flowers are visited by flies and small bees, and repeated visits 

 will give a high probability of cross-poUination. But the flower is not highly 

 specialised, and self-polhnation is possible. 



The London Pride {Saxifraga umbrosa, L.) will serve as an alternative 

 example, though the flowers are smaller and more numerous, and the carpels 

 are not so deeply sunk. It is poUinated by small flies. 



(25) The Red-Flowering Currant [Ribes sanguineiim, Pursh) is native in 

 North America, and is commonly grown in gardens. It serves as an example 

 of the Ribesiaceag, which are usually grouped with the Saxifragacese, not- 

 withstanding their inferior ovary, and five stamens. The Gooseberry or Cur- 

 rant of gardens would serve equally well. 



The Inflorescence is a pendulous raceme (Fig. 423), arising in the axil of a 

 foliage leaf of the previous season. The flowers are hermaphrodite and 

 actinomorphic, composed as follows : 



Calyx, sepals 5, polysepalous, superior, crimson ; odd sepal posterior. 



