27
is not joined by the secondary trace— х , derived from the subhorizontal branches of the
internal lateral trace—γ, and forms the bulk of the fibro-vascular bundle which runs up
the posterior wall of the carpel to the base of the posterior style. No fibro-vascular
bundles enter either of the styles.
This configuration has, as already explained, appeared to Briosi and Tognini to satisfac-
torily dispose of the theories of B. Clarke, Payer and Celakowsky. As to this there can be
no doubt. They, however, believe that the conditions they have so clearly described do not
throw any light on the question as to whether the ovary is monocarpellary or 2-carpellary, or
as to whether the ovule is axial or foliar, though they appear to incline towards the view
that the ovule is axial and that in the carpel of hemp we have to deal with an intermediate
form or a transitionary stage, as yet incompletely differentiated and therefore neither refer-
able to axis nor to leaf. Such a conclusion is not very satisfactory ; it is, moreover, in the
writer's opinion not altogether necessary. It is true that it effectively refutes the theories
of Clarke, Payer, and Celakowsky but it does not seem to be out of harmony with the
theory, based on teratological considerations, that the writer explained to the members of the
Linnean Society in November 1894, and that is explained again in the next paragraph.
Proposed alternative theory .—The true nature of the gynœcium in Cannabis
appears to be as follows. There are two united sessile carpels, each crowned by a
deciduous style. One carpel is posterior, internal, next the floral axis ; the other,
facing this, is anterior, external. The posterior, internal, is the larger of the two
and is crowned by the larger of the two styles ; from its connection with the ovule
it may be termed the fertile carpel, the anterior, external, is narrower than the
posterior, and has a smaller style ; the two, united by their margins throughout
together form a one-celled ovary containing a solitary ovule. From its earliest
stage the ovule is lateral to the organic apex, between which and the posterior
carpel it lies in the position of a bud in the axil of this posterior carpel. The ovule,
however, originates slightly before the ovary, and when the latter appears the
two become from the first organically united, so that, as the posterior wall of the
ovary grows upwards, it carries with it the attached ovule. Subsequently, on the
margins of the united carpels, at opposite points corresponding to the apices of
their midribs, are developed the two styles ; these, uniting at their bases, close the
open sac formed by the carpellary cup, and explain the position of the small cir-
cular placenta immediately behind and below the base of the posterior style.
This slightly posterior position explains the curvature of the ovule ; the micropyle
must curve upwards to reach the bases of the styles and, as these are at the
organic apex of the chamber, the radicle has consequently to turn upwards on the
side away from the point of attachment of the ovule.
This statement of the conditions explains all the organographic requirements. The
thicker rib on the posterior wall is due to a coalescence of the midrib of what is the larger
carpel with the funiculus of the ovule ; the thinner rib in front is the duplex midrib of the
narrower sterile carpel. The larger posterior carpel is surmounted naturally by the larger
style. Preceding theories have satisfied the demands of the ribs, but no other theory will
account for the larger posterior style. The statement further accords with the organogenic