124 



DICOTYLEDONS 



from the centre of the roof of the ovary. We should expect 

 the stigmas to he above the gaps between the placentae, 

 because a stigma usually stands above the dorsal suture 

 (mid-rib) of the carpel to which it belongs. But in the 



Fig. 154. — Qynsecium and 

 one stamen of Poppy. 



Fig. 155. — Cross-section of 

 ovary of Poppy. 



Poppy the stigmas stand directly above the placentae, instead 

 of alternating with them. When stigmas are thus superposed 

 on the placentae they are said to be commissural. Fruit 

 (fig. 126) a capsule, opening by lateral pores which alternate 

 with the stigmas. Seeds minute, and easily transported by 

 the wind. Pollination : the flower has no nectaries, but is 

 visited by insects desiring its pollen. 



Type II. : COMMON CELANDINE {Chelidonium majus). 



Herb with yellow juice and yellow flowers. Its flowers differ 

 from those of the Poppy in that the gynaecium consists of two 

 combined carpels, with two commissural stigmas surmounting 

 a one-chambered ovary possessed of two parietal placentse. 

 The fruit (fig. 121) is a siliqua, which has no septum; conse- 

 quently the persistent placenta (r) {repluni) forms an empty 

 frame which bears the ovules. 



Uses, Peculiarities, etc. of Papaveraces. — The latex of 

 Papaver somniferum is the source of opium. Eschscholtzia 

 is a familiar garden plant, with flowers tending to become 

 perigynous. 



CRUCIFER.iE (Wallflower Family) 



Herbs. Leaves alternate, exstipulate. Inflorescence, race- 

 mose, usually without bracts. Flower, regular, hypogynous. 



