48 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



called the style, and the upper or apex the stigma, from 

 which there is a channel of communication through the 

 style to the ovary. Both parts vary extremely in form 

 and organism (fig. 7, h). The style varies greatly in 

 lengthj heing in some species of gardenia and cactus 

 thread-like, from four to six inches long ; it is often very 

 short or entirely wanting (the stigma is then sessile). 

 It is either simple, forked, or branched, each terminating 

 in a stigma, which is a simple point, pin or club-like, 

 or rayed as in the Mallow family (fig. 7, b) . The stigma 

 is often thick and fleshy, or thin, membranous and petal- 



FiG. 7. 



like, consisting of two or more lobes, as in mimulus ; or 

 like a cup, hooded cyst, or cavity. Its surface is more 

 or less smooth, viscid, pilose, fringed or feathery as in 

 grasses. 



Ovary. — The ovary (fig. 7, c and has already been 

 described as containing the germs of the future seeds, 

 called ovules. In size, form, and nature it varies ex- 

 tremely in difi'erent plants, and together with the number, 

 position, and mode of attachment of the ovules forms a 

 special branch of study to the scientific botanist. For the 

 use of the amateur it will be sufficient to describe only 



