CHAP. II. 
OVARY. 
193 
into bodies alternating with the true stamens, as in Gesnera ; 
in its resemblance in Parnassia to bundles of polyadelphous 
stamens; and particularly in the fact noticed by Brown, 
that an anther is occasionally produced upon the highly 
developed disk of Pasonia Moutan. To which may be added 
the observation of Dunal, that half the disk of Cistus vagi- 
natus occasionally turns into stamens. (Considerations^ &c., 
p. 44.) 
Like the petals, sepals, and stamens, the disk always ori- 
ginates below the pistil ; but it often contracts an adhesion 
with the sides of the calyx, when it becomes perigynous, 
as in Amygdalus; or with both the calyx and the sides of 
an inferior ovary, when it becomes epigynous^ as in umbel- 
liferous plants. 
11. Of the Pistil. 
The last organ to enumerate in the flower is that which 
constitutes the female system, or gynceceum of Roper, and 
which is usually called the pistil. In all cases it occupies the 
centre of the flower, terminating the axis of growth of the 
peduncle : and is consequently the part around which every 
other organ, without exception, is arranged. 
It is distinguished into three parts ; viz. the ovary 
(Plate V. fig. 7. a), the style (fig. 7./*), and the stigma (fig. 
7.y). 
The ovary, called germen by Linnaeus, is a hollow case 
placed at the base of the pistil, enclosing the ovules, and always 
containing one or more cells or cavities. It is the part which 
ultimately becomes the fruit ; and consequently, whatever may 
be the structure of the ovary, such must necessarily be that of 
the fruit: allowance being made, as will hereafter be ex- 
plained, for changes that may occur during the progress of the 
ovary to maturity. 
Notwithstanding what has been stated of the pistil con- 
stantly occupying the centre of the flower, and being the part 
around which all the other parts are arranged, an apparent 
exception exists in those flowers the calyx of which is said to 
o 
