ampelidejE ok vitace^. 



461 



Stamens 4-5, opposite to the petals (figs. 693, 694 e), inserted on the 

 disk ; filaments free, or united at the base ; anthers ovate, versatile 

 (fig. 694). Ovary 2-6-celled; ovules erect, anatropal (fig. 695 o) ; 

 style 1, very short ; stigma simple (695 s). Fruit pulpy and globular, 

 not united to the calyx (fig. 696), sometimes 1-ceUed by abortion. 

 Seeds 1 to 4 or 5, erect (fig. 697), with an osseous spermoderm, homy 



Fig.. 695. Fig. 694. Fig. 693. 



P 



Kg. 692. 



Fig. 699. 



Fig. 696. Fig. 698. Fig. 697. 



albumen (figs. 698, 699 ■p), and an erect embryo (fig. 698 «). — Climb- 

 ing shrubs, having the lower leaves opposite, the upper ones alternate 

 (fig. 239, p. 120). Flowers in racemes, which are often opposite the 

 leaves ; floral peduncles sometimes becoming cirrhose. They inhabit 

 the milder as well as the hotter parts of both hemispheres, and abound 

 in the West Indies. There are 4 genera and 250 species. Examiples 

 — Vitis, Cissus, Leea. 



The plants of this order have generally acid leaves, and their 

 fruit when ripe is saccharine. Vitis vinifera, the Grape Vine, belongs 

 to this order. It is said to be a native of the shores of the Caspian, 

 whence it was imported into Europe. The unripe fruit contains a 

 harsh acid juice, called verjuice. It contains free citric, malic, and 

 tartaric acids, along with bitartrate of potass. As grapes ripen, sugar, 



Fig. 692-699. Organs of fructification of Vitis vinifera, to illustrate the natural order 

 VitaceEe or Ampelideae. Fig. 692. Diagram of the flower, showing 5 sepals, 5 petals, 5 , 

 stamens opposite the petals on acconnt of the non-development of one staminal row, a disk, 

 and the ovary. Fig. 693. Flower showing the petals, p, detached at the base, and re- 

 maining united ahove in a calyptra-Iike manner, c. Calyx, g, Glands forming a disk, 

 e. Stamens, the filaments of which only are seen. Fig. 694. Flower after the petals have 

 faUen. g, Glands of the disk, e. Stamens with versatile anthers, j), Pistil. Fig. 696. 

 Vertical section of the flower, c. Calyx, p. Petals, e. Filaments, o, Ovary, with 2 cells 

 and their erect anatropal ovules, s, Stigma. Fig. 696. Globular pulpy fruit, uva, or 

 grape, differing from a beriy, in the calyx not forming part of the pericarp. It is by some 

 called nuculanium. Fig. 697. The seed of the grape, with its osseous spermoderm en- 

 closing a hard perisperm. Fig. 698. The seed cut vertically. {, The integument or sper- 

 moderm. Pt Perisperm, or albumen, which is homy, e, Erect embryo, with lanceolate 

 cotyledons. Fig. 699. Horizontal section of the seed of the grape, about the middle, t, 

 Integtpnent or spermoderm. p, Perisperm or albumen. 



