426 



EANTJNOTJLACE^. 



thalamus (receptacle) ; stamens hypogynous. This includes the hypo- 

 gynous polypetalous orders of Jussieu, and a diclinous order (Meni- 

 spermaceae). 



Order 1. — EANUNCUtACEiE, the Crowfoot Family. (Polypetalce 

 Hypogynce.) Sepals 3-6, frequently 5, deciduous (fig. 663 c). Petals 

 _ 5-15 (fig. 663 pe), rarely abortive, sometimes 



anomalous in form (fig, 308, p. 202), occasion- 

 ally -with scales at the base (fig. 662 a). Sta- 

 mens usually indefinite, hypogynous (fig. 663 e) ; 

 anthers adnate (figs. 665, 666) ; carpels numerous, 

 1 -celled (fig. 663 pi), distinct or united into a 

 single many-celled pistil ; ovary containing one 

 anatropal ovule (figs. 588, p. 332 ; 667 g), or 

 Kg. 664. several united to the inner edge. Fruit various, 



either dry achsenia (figs. 559, p. 309 ; 668), or baccate, or follicular 

 (figs. 539, p. 303 j 564, p. 312). Seeds albuminous, erect, or pen- 



rig. 668. 



Fig. 667. Fig. 666. 



Fig 665. 



dulous ; albumen, horny (fig. 668 p) ■ embryo minute (fig. 668 e). — 

 Herbaceous, suflfruticose, or rarely shrubby plants, having alternate 

 or opposite, simple, much-divided leaves, with dilated sheathing 

 petioles (fig. 254, p. 176). Juice watery. Hairs, if present, simple. 

 The plants of the order are found in cold damp climates, and in 

 the elevated regions of warm countries. Europe contains one-fifth of 

 the order, and North America about one-seventh. The order is 

 divided into five tribes : — 1. Clematidese ; 2. Anemonese (fig. 268, p. 



Figs. 663-668 exhibit tlie organs of fructification of Ranunculus acris, to iUustrate tlie 

 natural order Ranunculacese. Fig. 663, Flower cut vertically, c. Calyx, pe. Petals, fi, 

 Stamens, pi, Pistil composed of several carpels on an elongated receptacle or axis. Fig. 

 664. Diagram of the flower, showing 5 imbricated sepals, 6 petals alternating with the 

 sepals, indefinite stamens in several whorls, multiples of the petals, and numerous carpels 

 or achsenia in the centre. Fig. 665. Adnate anther seen on the outer side. The anther 



is in this instance extrorse. In Pgeonia and so^e other Banunculaceaa it is introrse. Fig. 

 666. Adnate anther viewed on the inside. Fig. 667. Vertical section of the ovary, o, 

 showing the ovule, ff. s, Stigma. Fig. 668. Fruit, an achsenium cut vertically. /, Peri- 

 carp, t, Spermoderm or integument of the anatropal seed, p, Perisperm or albumen, 

 between fleshy and homy, e, Minute embryo. 



