274 



FLOWERS 



the calyx, corolla, and andrcecium. These parts of the 

 pistil which usually do not appear as parts are called 

 carpels. In some flowers the carpels are separate, and in 

 nearly all flowers the number of carpels is indicated by the 

 number of divisions or lobes of the stigma. (See Figures 

 114 and 116.) 



Buttercup and hepatica are flowers which have separate 

 carpels; they are sometimes described as having many 

 pistils. Thus it is evident that the word pistil sometimes 



refers to one carpel, 

 sometimes to many. 

 Like the word ovary, 

 it is a name which 

 was used before the 

 real nature of flowers 

 was understood. 

 The carpels taken to- 

 gether are called the 

 gyncecium. Having 

 these two words, car- 

 pel and gyncecium, 

 the word pistil is not 

 really needed at all. 

 It is a very com- 

 monly used word, 

 however, and it would be inconvenient to try to get along 

 without it. 



Within the ovary the undeveloped seeds are found. 

 They commonly resemble small pearls. They are called 

 ovules. The ovules are attached to the sides of the ovary 

 or to walls which sometimes divide the ovary into separate 

 compartments. The number of such compartments indi- 



Fig. 98. — Lengthwise section through a flower of 

 peony ; K indicates the calyx of separate sepals ; 

 C indicates the corolla of separate petals ; A in- 

 dicates the andrcecium of separate stamens; 

 G indicates the gyncecium of separate carpels 

 (or simple pistils). 



