ii8 



DICOTYLEDONS 



ovule {o) in each chamber. There are three forked styles 

 with stigmas {sg) on the summit of the ovary. The floral 

 formula is KO (minute) CO AO G (3). Fruit.— The three-lobed 

 ovary forms a three-valved capsule. Seed. — Endospermic. 



We see therefore that the cyathium (figs. 149, 150) is a 

 cymose inflorescence consisting of one terminal carpellary 



Fig. 149. — Diagram of cyathium 

 of Euphorbia, i, 2, 3, 4, 5 are 

 bracts. 



Fig. 150. — Scheme of cyathium 

 of Eupfwrbia. i, 2, 3, 4, s are 

 bracts. 



flower and lateral staminate inflorescences arising in the ajcils 

 of five bracts which form the involucre. 



KANUNCULACEJE (Buttercup Family) 



Usually herbs. Leaves alternate (except Clematis). Flowers, 

 usually showy, acyclic or hemicyclic, regular (except Monks- 

 hood and Larkspur), hypogynous. Sepals polysepalous, 

 often petaloid. Petals polypetalous or absent. Stamens 

 numerous. Carpels usually more than one, apocarpous, 

 superior. Seed endospermic. > 



Type I. : BUTTERCUPS {Ranunculus acris, R. bulbosus, 

 R. repens). 



Vegetative characters. — Perennial herbs. Leaves alternate, 

 simple, deeply divided. Stipules are absent, but there is a 

 leaf-sheath at the foot of the petiole. In the first two species 



