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Linnean System of Plants. 2vSl 



the corolla, the pistil, the stamen, the pericarp, the seed, and 

 the receptacle. From one or more of these parts the class is 

 formed ; from others, the order and the genus. The species 

 is determined by the other parts of the plant ; the root, stem, 

 leaves, &c. 



The word calyx is of Greek origin, and signifies a cover ; 

 it is used to express the leaf, or leaves, usually growing im- 

 mediately under the flower, and enclosing it while in bud. Its 

 office is to protect the tenderer parts, and more particularly 

 such as are essential to the production of fruit. It varies in 

 situation, and yet more in form; and, according to these 

 variations, is differently named, though the word calyx applies 

 to them all. The most common of all its varieties is the 

 perianth, so called from two Greek words, signifying around 

 the flower. Its colour is most commonly, but not invariably, 

 green. 



Corolla is the diminutive of the Latin word corona, a crown, 

 and is applied to that part commonly termed the flower, often 

 so beautifully coloured, and more, perhaps, than any other 

 part of a plant, subject to the dominion of Fancy. It would 

 seem as though Nature had given the corolla more particularly 

 in charge of this playful goddess. It is generally believed 

 that the corolla, like the calyx, is intended as a protection to 

 the internal parts of the flower ; but this is like giving one 

 infant to the care of another. The corolla is almost always 

 of a delicate texture, in many cases so frail that a breath will 

 destroy or dismiss it from its station; it is itself in need of 

 protection, and, most commonly, very unfit to bestow it. 

 This lovely portion of the flower has many uses more con- 

 sistent with its delicacy, than that of life-guardsman. It were 

 enough were it destined only to give pleasure ; and, not to 

 speak of the many chemical and medical uses, it frequently 

 lodges fragrant oils, which, scattering volatile particles in the 

 air, perfume the atmosphere around, and afford an additional 

 pleasure to those who come to gaze upon its 

 ,v beauty. The corolla is sometimes composed of 

 one piece, sometimes of several pieces ; these 

 are named petals, from a Greek word signifying 

 to expand ; and, according to their number, it is 

 styled monopetalous, one-petaled; dipetalous, 

 two-petaled; tripetalous, three-petaled ; tetra- 

 petalous, four-petaled ; pentapetalous, five-pe- 

 taled ; or polypetalous, many-petaled. {^fig, 92. 

 «, monopetalous corolla ; 6, the perianth.) 



Old authors used the word leaves as well to express the 

 divisions of the corolla and calyx, as the leaves commonly so 



