s it would be impossible to say where the axial or
receptacular portion ended, and the foliar portion began. As both from
normal organogeny as well as from unusual conformation contradictory
inferences may be drawn, it would obviously be unsafe to attempt the
explanation of the so-called calyx-tube in general from any particular
instances; so far as _Rosaceae_ are concerned, there is so much variation
in the relative position of calyx and carpels under ordinary
circumstances, that it is no matter for surprise that similar
diversities should exist in teratological cases. A similar remark will
apply to _Saxifragaceae_, _Cucurbitaceae_, _Myrtaceae_, _Bruniaceae_,
_Rubiaceae_, and other families of like conformation.

[Illustration: FIG. 38.--Flower of _OEnanthe crocata_, in which the
five sepals were completely detached from the ovaries, here three in
number and destitute of stylopods.]

In _Umbelliferae_, a detachment of the calyx from the ovaries frequently
occurs, sometimes without any other change; at other times attended by
more serious alterations. So far as can be judged from exceptional
occurrences of this kind, it would appear that in this order the axis or
flower-stalk does not, in any material degree, enter into the
composition of the fruit.

In the Rubiaceous genus _Bikkhia_, as mentioned by Duchartre, the ovary
is completely inferior, but when the fruit arrives at maturity four
small leaves are detached from its surface which had previously adhered
to it, and which it seems reasonable to consider as the sepals.

In _Campanulaceae_ a similar separation of calyx from the ovary may be
occasionally met with. On the other hand, the occasional formation of a
leaf on the inferior ovary of those plants would indicate the axial
nature of the fruit. In _Campanumaea_ and _Cyclodon_ the calyx is
inferior, while the corolla is superior. In the last-named genus this
peculiarity "is carried to the highest degree, the sepals being, in _C.
parviflorum_, placed on the peduncle of the flower far removed from the
base of the corolla and ovary, whilst in _C. truncatum_ and in
_Campanumaea_ they adhere to the base of the tube of the corolla."[87] In
this order, then, as in _Saxifragaceae_, _Bruniaceae_, &c., no hasty
conclusion should be drawn as to the nature of the fruit. In _Brunia
microphylla_ the ovary is superior, enclosed within but not adnate to
the cup-like calyx, to which latter, however, the petals and stamens are
at