96
THE ESSEX NATURALIST
In Fig. b the outside of the pericarp is shown with five
ribs, prominent wings, two styles and four vittae which are
often brownish-red in the ripe fruit. They are club-shaped
and reach halfway down from the top of the carpel. .
It is best to have the fruits ripe but not too dry for cutting
into sections, and if a transverse slice is taken, the ribs,
furrows and vittae will be clearly seen.
If the cremocarp is laterally compressed, the slice will be
of an oval form and the division between the carpels across
the narrowest diameter (e.g., Carum Petroselinum). If
dorsally compressed (from front to back), the division will be
across the broadest diameter (e.g., Peucedanum sativum).
If not compressed at all, the horizontal slice will be orbicular
(e.g., Seseli Libanotis). Where the albumen is furrowed,
the transverse section assumes a more or less kidney shape
or half-moon shape (e.g., Myrrhis Odorata).
In the British Isles there are 74 species; for Essex, Gibson
recorded 47, and I have so far found 37 species. In the
county there are two very rare plants, Tordylium maximum
and Bupleurum falcatum. Throughout the world there are