78 
PLANT MORPHOLOGY. 
with reference to the ovary and disk is spoken of as 
hypogynous, when they arise beneath the ovary or disk, 
as in the orange flower; perigynous, when the stamens 
or petals are inserted upon the calyx or disk around 
the ovary, as in the rose ; and epigynons, when the 
remaining parts of the flower arise from the upper 
portion of the ovary, as in the clove. 
When the other parts of the flower are hypogynous 
the ovary is spoken of as superior or “ free,” because it 
is above the other parts and free from any adhesion. 
Likewise, when the other parts are epigynous, the ovary 
is said to be inferior, because it appears to be beneath 
them, on account of their adhesion with it. 
Upon examining a large number of the flowers of 
water lilies, and those of cultivated and wild roses, it 
will be found that the stamens and petals of some of 
the flowers have undergone a transformation or meta- 
morphosis. In the flowers of the water lily some of the 
petals are metamorphosed into stamens and this change 
is spoken of as progressive metamorphosis, there being a 
change from non-essential to essential elements. In 
the rose, on the other hand, the effect of cultivation 
is that of a retrograde metamorphosis, some of the 
stamens being changed to petals. This transformation 
is observed in all of the “ double flowers” of the florist, 
as roses, and also occurs naturally, as in the butter- 
cups. Retrograde metamorphosis, when complete, in- 
cludes the pistil as well as the stamens. In the case of 
green roses and green strawberries the petals may 
also become green and leaf-like, and the change is 
spoken of as “ Chlorosis ” or “ Chloranthy.” In some 
flowers even the ovules are reverted to leaf-like pro- 
cesses or appendages, as in Drosera and clover. 
In the water lily and rose it was observed that there 
was an increase of the parts of one circle at the expense 
