THE FLOWER. 



340. But in a Lupine-blossom, of equally near relationship. 

 a casual observer might fail to recognize the very same ivpe, 

 although disguised only by cohesions. For while the two pos- 

 terior sepals are united to the tip on one side of the blossom, the 



three others are similarly united into 

 one body on the anterior side, giving 

 the appearance of two sepals instead 

 of five : in the corolla, the two keel- 

 petals arc more strictly united into a 

 slender scythe-shaped or sickle-shaped 

 body; so that the petals might with 

 the unwary pass for four: in the 

 andrcecium, the coalescence includes all 

 ten stamens (Fig. 34 C). which is an 

 approach to regularity. 



341. The 5-merous symmetry of the 

 Violet-blossom is complete until the 

 gynoecium is reached (but with only 

 one circle of stamens) ; the main irregu- 

 larity of the perianth is in the anterior 

 petal, with its nectariferious sac at base 

 (Fig. 349-351) ; the two stamens near- 

 est this send into the sac curious appendages, which the other 

 three do not possess ; the gynoecium is composed of three car- 

 pels coalcscent into one compound ovary in a 

 manner hereafter explained. In Antirrhinum 

 and Linaria (Fig. 480, 481), there is a similar 

 irregularity accompanying coalescence of the 

 petals, the anterior one being extended at base 

 into a nectariferous sac or hollow spur. 1 The 

 flower of a Lobelia (Fig. 488) has the same 

 numerical plan and symmetry as that of Viola 

 (except that the gynoecium is dimerous) ; but 

 <li< members are adnate lie-low and coalescent above, and the 

 corolla is irregular through unequal coalescence of the five petals, 

 and the absence of coalescence down one side. 



1 PKI.OIUA is a IKUIH- given l>v Kimia-us to an occasional monostrosity of 

 these flowers (iniitatcil in sundry others), in which tin- base of every petal, or 

 answering part of tin- corolla, is prolonged downward into a sac or spur. 

 The sac is, morphologically considered, a depart ure from normal regularity : 

 in the monster, symmetrical regularity is restored by the development of four 

 more sacs. 



FIG :M!>. Flower cif Viola sagittata. 350. Its sepals anil petals displayed. 351. 

 Diatrr.-im nf :i Yiol.-t-Mossoin. from KMiler, with bract orsulitrn 'lint; leaf (below), a pair 

 of bractlets (lateral), ami axis to which the subtending leaf belongs (above or posterior). 





