PART IV 



Studies op the Fbuctification 



XLVII. THE AKBNE 



289. We know that the office of the flower is 

 to produce seeds with which to perpetuate the plant. 

 The seeds are borne in various numbers and modes. 

 In the hepatiea (Fig. 132) there is a head or 

 bunch of pistils ; in the tulip there is only one 

 pistil, but it is a compound of three carpels. We 

 know that a flower may contain one simple pistil, 

 one variously compounded pistil, or a number of 

 simple pistils ; and these pistils or carpels may 

 contain one or many seeds. 



290. One of the pistils of the hepatiea, cut in 

 two lengthwise, is shown in Fig. 141. The pistil 

 is not only simple (comprising but a single carpel), 

 but it is 1- seeded. Furthermore, it does not 

 dehisce, or split open, but the ovary and the ovule 

 grow into a single seed -like body. Such a single- 

 seeded, dry, indehiseent structure is known as an 

 akene (or achenium). 



(-251; 



