414 Form of Seeds as a Factor [July, 
This genus is a form of “ cranesbill,” and as will be seen by 
Fig. 1, and its gynacium, Fig. 2, is somewhat like that ‘of Ger- 
anium maculatum, as figured in Gray. oe: 
5 
Crane’s bill (Erodium) or Alfillarilla. From nature. 
The latter figure, with the sepals removed, shows the ovaries 
with their slender bearded! styles or awns (Figs. 3 and 4 enlarged) 
in situ, cohering to the elongated axis of the receptacle. 
It will be observed upon examination that the ovaries are in 
fact a barb-shaped sheath enclosing the seed, the surface of which 
is covered with short stiff hairs or small bristle-like spines visible to 
the unaided eye, but of course more conspicuous through a com- 
mon lens. The tip of the barb is also peculiarly pointed and 
curved ; produced from the upper end of the ovary (that opposite 
to the tip) is a thread-like process or style an inch or more in 
length, varying in different specimens, so that the ovary as a 
‘whole may be compared to a tiny arrow, which it much 
resembles, : 
Now if we examine an unripe specimen before the sepals have 
separated from it (Fig. 1), we shall find four to five of these minia- 
ture arrows (carpels) side by side, closely fitting together, being 
snugly packed around the prolonged central axis of the gyn®- 
cium, the base of which is sufficiently expanded or swollen to 
receive the tips. — 
After the blossom has withered and the ripening process 
1It is presumable that the Spanish name A/f//aril/a was suggested: by these deli- 
cate fismesis; = 
