\A BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. [Ch. XL 



lure ; a bouquet, or even the simplest blossom, presented by a 

 'riend, interests the heart. How many pleasant thoughts are 

 awakened by the fresh and perfumed incense which is offered 

 by flowers ! their odour has been poetically termed the language 

 by which they hold communion with our minds. 



254. Although every part of a plant offers an interesting sub- 

 ject for study, the beauty of the blossom seems by association to 

 heighten the pleasure of scientific research. Flowers are indeed 

 lovely, but like youthful beauty, they are fading and transient ; 

 they are, however, destined for a higher object than a short-lived 

 admiration ; for to them is assigned the important office of pro- 

 ducing and nourishing the fruit. May those also who study 

 this book, so improve the bloom of life, that when youth and 

 beauty shall have faded away, their minds may exhibit thaJ 

 fruit, which it is the important business of the season of youtt 

 to nurture and mature. 



255. The parts of the flower, or the organs of fructification^ 

 the followin : 



Calyx, Pericarp, 



Corolla, Seed, 



Stamen, Receptacle, 

 Pistil, 



Calyx. 



256. The Calyx is frequently wanting, as in the Tulip. The 

 Corolla is also wanting in many plants, as in most of the forest 

 trees, which to a careless observer, may seem to produce no 

 flower, but the presence of a stamen and pistil, is in botany 

 considered as constituting a perfect flower. These two organs 

 are essential to the perfection of the fruit. 



257. When a flower is destitute, either of stamens or pistils, 

 it is termed imperfect. A flower is said to be incomplete when 

 any of the seven organs of fructification are wanting. 



258. The word Calyx is derived from the Greek, and literally 

 signifies a cup ; it is the cover of the corolla, and usually green j 

 when not green, it is said to be coloured. 



254. Is there any other office assigned to flowers than tho^e of 

 pleasing the senses 1 



255. Repeat the names of the parts of the flower. 



256. What parts of the flower may be wanting, and what parts 

 are essential 1 



257. What is the difference between an imperfect and an incom- 

 plete flower 1 



258. What does the word calvx signify, and uhat is the usual 

 Colour of the calyx 1 



