346 THE CROWFOOT FAMILY 



simple pistils as those of the marsh-marigold are called carpels^ 

 and are regarded as representing each a single egg-sac leaf 

 just as a stamen is a single pollen-sac leaf. Taken together 

 the carpels form the gyncecium - of the flower, while the 

 stamens collectively form the andrceciumJ Near the base of 

 each carpel is a gland that secretes drops of a sweet fluid, 

 called nectar ^ which attracts insects, and from which they 

 make hone3^ In each ovary of the marsh-marigold, as will 

 be noticed, there are several ovules attached to that part of 

 the wall lying nearest the center of the flower along a line 

 running from top to bottom — such a line as woukl bo made 

 by the edges of a folded leaf where they came together. Thus 

 the carpel of a marsh-marigold may be likened to a leaf 

 bearing ovules along its edges and these joined so as to form 

 an ovary. That part of an ovary wall which bears the ovules 

 is called the placenta; ^ and when as in this case it extends 

 along the front side of the ovary (that toward the center 

 of the flower) the placenta is said to be ventral.^ The oppo- 

 site side or back of the carpellary leaf, commonly marked by 

 a ridge representing the midrib, is distinguished as the 

 (lorftal ■ aspect. 



The ovules of marsh-marigolds are essentially like those 

 of flax and of all the crowfoot family. We may distinguish 

 in each ovule a little stalk, the funicle,^ which continues as a 

 ridge, the raphe,^ akjng the side of the main part or body of 

 the ovule. At the small end is a minute opening, the viicro- 

 pyle.'" An ovule which is bent so that the micropyle comes 

 next to the funicle, or point of attachment, is termed anat- 

 ropoiin." 



' Cai-'-pol < CJr. /ivir/jo.s, fruit, u.s Ijoiiit; es.scntially tho fruil. produc- 

 ing part. 



■^ Gy-nne'-ci-iun < CJr. gync, female; oik-ox. hii\ise. 



" An-drffi'-fi-uiu < (Ir. (imlro!:, male. 



" Nec'-tar < (ir. lui.-lnr, flio drink of tiie gods. 



•'■ Pla-cen'-ta < 1.. a little cake, from its cake-like form in certain 

 ca.ses. 



f' Vcn'tral < L. ruiirr, belly. 



' Dor'.'ial < ], . ilorr.iiiii. \>;ick. 



" Fu'-ni-cle < L. fiiiiiriiliia, dimimilive of //;/(/,s-, a cord. 



'■' Ra'plic < (Ir, rhophf, ,-i ,se;iiii, 



'" Mi-iTo-i)yle < (Ir. iiii.cro.^, small; /i,///e, gale, 



" A-nat'-ro-i)ous < (Ir. iiiin, back; Irc/H-iii, turn. 



