126 DICOTYLEDONS 



and pouched at their bases : the little pouches act as recep- 

 tacles to hold the honey poured out by the nectaries. Petals Q>) 

 four, separate, arranged in one whorl alternating with the four 

 sepals. Note the blade (la) and claw (cl) of each petal 

 (fig. 83). Stamens {iigs. 156, 88) 2 + 4, hypogynous, separate. 

 There are two short stamens {at) and four long ones (am). 

 The two shorter stamens are opposite the inner (lateral) sepals, 

 and are inserted at a lower level than the four long stamens. 

 Therefore the two shorter stamens form an outer whorl, and the 

 four long ones constitute an inner whorl of stamens. Nectaries 

 (figs. 156, 88) : a green nectary (n) is situated at the base of each 

 of the two shorter stamens. Carpels (figs. 156, 88) two 

 syncarpous, superior. Ovary (ov) : the two parietal placentae, 

 bearing numerous ovules, are connected by a delicate parti- 

 tion (septum) which divides the cavity of the ovary into two 

 chambers. When an ovary is divided into several chambers, 

 and contains numerous ovules, the placentation is usually axile; 

 but in the Cruciferae the ovules are attached to the walls, and 

 not to the axial partition. It is for this reason that the 

 partition is, regarded as not originally a true part of the 

 carpels, and is therefore termed a false septum (fig. 156). 

 The short style is surmounted by two commissural stigma- 

 lobes (s). Fruit (fig. 120) a pod-like siliqua. It is 

 necessary to distinguish between the persistent placentae 

 forming the replum (re) and the false septum (Js). Seed 

 (fig. 116) contains no endosperm, the embryo is bent. The 

 seeds are compressed, and are easily carried about by the 

 wind, and are thus able to reach the tops of walls, on which 

 the plants frequently grow. 



Type II. : SHEPHERD'S PURSE (Capsella bursa pastoris). 



This plant is an annual little weed, in reality an ephemeral, 

 flowering at nearly all seasons of the year. The inflorescence 

 and flowers are constructed on the same plan as those of the 

 Wallflower. The length of the four long stamens is such as 

 to occasion regular self-pollination. The fruit is of peculiar 

 shape, and is a shortened siliqua. 



Uses, peculiarities, etc., of Cruciferae. — -Though they appear 

 so different. Cabbages, Cauliflowers and Broccolis, Brussels- 

 sprouts, Turnips, Rape, and Mustard are plants all belonging 

 to the same genus — Brassica. They are placed in one single 



