80 SOUTH AFRICAN BOTANY 
gynaecium), or Pistin (Greek—gunatkeion, the woman’s 
house), 
If a flower possesses all four whorls it is spoken of as 
ComPLETE. If any are missing it is spoken of as In- 
COMPLETE. If androecium and pistil are present the 
flower is called PERFEcT or hermaphrodite, if either is 
missing IMPERFECT or unisexual. Imperfect flowers 
may be STAMINATE (having stamens only) or PISTILLATE 
(having a pistil only). 
48. The Thalamus.—The thalamus, or receptacle, 
may assume various forms. For example, it may be 
flattened, convex, e.g. Poppy ; or hollow and cup-shaped, 
e.g. Rose. According toits 
\ Q shape and the arrangement 
( és of floral members upon it 
A B we divide flowers into three 
classes: (a) Hypocynous 
flowers; (b) PrRicynous 
flowers; (c) Epicgynous 
flowers. 
D In a hypogynous flower 
C 
Fic. 46. (fig. 46 a) the gynoecium 
A. flower. B,C. sa af ; . 
Bene yrnas Homer. Dh fpi. 38 Situated on the highest 
gynous flower. part of the thalamus and the 
other whorls inserted below it. In a perigynous flower 
(fig. 46 B and c) the thalamus is flattened or cup-shaped, 
the gynoecium occupying the middle of the disc, and the 
other whorls being situated round about it. In epi- 
gynous flowers (fig. 46 D) the floral axis is concave as in 
some forms of perigyny, but its margin becomes adhe- 
rent to the gynoecium, so that the other whorls are 
