Part 94. The flower and the fruit. In the center of the flower (Fig. 217 II) we find a pistil1 containing ovules 2 within an ovary 3 from the top of which grow five styles 4 each terminating in a stigma.5 Around the pistil are five stamens,6 each producing pollen 7 within an anther 8 borne on a slender filament.9 Enveloping the stamens are five petals 10 and five sepals.11 Pollen falling upon the stigmas, brings about the development of the ovules into seeds while the ovary ripens into a fruit. Pistils and stamens thus being essential to the production of seed are called the essential organs of the flower, while the petals and sepals, more or less enveloping them, are called the floral envelops or perianth.12

1 Pis'-til - L. pistillum, a pestle, such as apothecaries use for pounding drugs in a mortar, pistils often resembling pestles more or less in form.

2 O'-vule - L. ovulum, diminutive of ovum, an egg.

3 Ov'-ar-y - L. ova, plural of ovum; ary, repository.

4 Style - Gr. stylos, a pillar.

5 Stig'ma - Gr. stigma, a spot.

6 Sta'men - Gr. stamon, a thread.

7 Pol'len - L. -pollen, fine dust.

8 An'ther - Gr. anthein, to blossom.

9 Fil'a-ment - L. filum, thread.

10 Pet'al - Gr. petalos, outspread.

11 Sep'al - L. separ, separate, different.

12 Per'i-anth - Gr. peri, around; anthos, flower.