PISTIL. 
77 
Fig. 82. 
Pistils. 
In the centre of the flower stands the pistil, an organ essential to 
the continued existence of the plant. Like the stamens, the pistils 
vary in number in different plants, some having but one, and others 
hundreds. Linnaeus founded the orders of his fii^st twelve classes 
on the number of these organs. When they are more than ten, he 
did not rely upon their number, which in this case is found to vary 
in individuals of the same genus. 
The pistil consists of three parts, the germ , style, and stigma. It 
may be compared to a pillar; the germ, (Fig. 82, a ,) corresponding 
to the base; the style (&,) to the shaft; and the stigma (e,) to the 
capital. 
The figure at(g) represents the pistil of 
the poppy, the germ or base is very large; 
you will perceive that the style is want¬ 
ing, and the stigma is sessile , or placed 
immediately on the germ. The style is 
not an essential part, but the stigma and 
germ are never wanting; so that these 
two parts, as in the poppy, often consti¬ 
tute a pistil. 
Germ. The germ, or ovary , contains the 
rudiments of the fruit, or ( ovules ,) yet in 
an embryo state. A distinction is to be made between the germ 
here spoken of, and the germ of the bud.* This germ in the flower, 
is the future fruit, though in passing to maturity it undergoes a great 
change. You would scarcely believe that the pumpkin was once but 
the germ of a small yellow flower. The germ is said to be superior, 
when placed above the calyx, as in the strawberry; inferior , when 
below it, as in the apple. The figure of the germ is roundish in some 
plants, cordate and angled in others ; but its various forms can bet¬ 
ter be learned by observation than description. 
Style. This, like the filament, is sometimes wanting; when pres¬ 
ent, it proceeds from the germ, and bears the stigma on its summit. 
It is usually long and slender, of a cylindrical form, consisting of 
bundles of fibres, which transmit to the germ, from the stigma, the 
fertilizing pollen. * 
Stigma. This word signifies perfecting. The stigma is the top of 
the pistil, and always present; if the style be wanting, it is placed 
upon the germ, and said to be sessile , as in the tulip. The stigma is 
various in size and form ; sometimes it is a round head; sometimes 
hollow and gaping, more especially when the flower is in its highest 
perfection; it is generally downy, and always more or less moist, 
with a peculiar, viscid fluid. 
You have, in the following page, a representation of the pistils of 
several different genera of plants, most of which are magni- 
* In strict scientific language, the base of the pistil is the ovary , and the germ of the 
bud is the gemma. 
Pistil, situation and number—Orders founded upon the pistil—Parts of the pistil— 
Oerm—Style—Stigma. 
7 * 
