‘DICOTYLEDONS 211 
of the Choripetale are the Calyciflore, so called from 
the fact that the sepals are united into a tubular or 
cup-shaped calyx upon whose margin are inserted the 
petals and stamens. Very commonly the floral axis is 
prolonged into a tube which may be completely grown 
to the ovary at its base, so that the ovary becomes “ in- 
ferior,” as we have seen to be the case in the higher 
Monocotyledons. Much the commonest number for 
the sepals and petals is five, although some families 
show regularly four, eg. the Onagracee (fuchsia, 
evening-primrose, etc.), and occasionally the number 
is indefinite (Cactacee). The number of stamens in 
the Calycifloree is occasionally the same as the petals, 
but usually either double the number, or still more 
numerous. 
The order Rosiflorz, which is subdivided into several 
families, is one of the largest and most familiar groups 
of the Calyciflore. In some of these, e.g. the straw- 
berry, the carpels are quite separate, while in others, 
eg. apple and pear, they are more or less completely 
united, and there is an approach to an inferior ovary. 
The myrtle family (Myrtacez) is mainly tropical. 
The petals are often wanting, but the numerous sta- 
mens, which are white or red, are very conspicuous and 
serve to attract insects just as showy petals would do. 
The ovary is here inferior, and the tissues of the calyx 
may become fleshy and edible in the ripe fruit, as in 
the pomegranate or guava. 
The Aralia family and the parsley family (Umbelli- 
feree) are two related families of the Calyciflore, which 
are not, however, very clearly related to the others. 
Of the former the common ivy (Hedera) and the sey- 
