104 



THE CALYX AND COROLLA. 



[LESSON 15. 



270. Fig. 213 is a flower of a Cherry, cut through lengthwise in 

 the same way. Here the petals and the stamens grow out of, that 

 is, are inserted on, the calyx ; in other words they cohere or are 

 consolidated with the base of the calyx up to a certain height. In 

 such cases they are said to be perigynous (from two Greek words, 

 meaning around the pistil). The consolidation in the Cherry is con- 

 fined to tie calyx, corolla, and stamens : the calyx is still free from 

 the pistil. One step more we have in 



271. Fig. 214, which is a similar section of a flower of a Purslane. 



Here the lower part of the 

 calyx (carrying with it of 

 course the petals and stamens) 

 is coherent with the surface of 

 the whole lower half of the 

 ovary. Therefore the calyx, 

 seemins: to rise from the mid- 



i^j> 



die of the ovary, is said to be 

 half superior, instead of being 

 inferior, as it is when entirely free. It is better to say, however, 

 calyx half-adherent to the ovary. Every gradation occurs between 



such a case and that of a calyx 

 altogether free or inferior, as 

 we see in different Purslanes 

 and Saxifrages. The consol- 

 idation goes farther, 



272. In the Apple, Quince, 

 Hawthorn (Fig. 215), &c. 

 Here the tube of the calyx 

 is consolidated with the whole 

 surface of the ovary ; and its 

 limb, or free part, therefore appears to spring from its top, instead of 

 underneath it, as it naturally should. So the calyx is said to be 

 superior, or (more properly) adherent to, or coherent with, the ovary. 

 In most cases (and very strikingly in the Evening Primrose), the 

 tube of the calyx is continued on more or less beyond the ovary, 

 and has the petals and stamens consolidated with it for some dis- 

 tance ; these last, therefore, being borne on the calyx, are said to 

 be perigynous, as before (270). 



216 



FIG. 215. Flower of a Hawthorn, divided lengthwise. 

 FIG. 216. Flower of the Cranberry, divided lengthwise. 



