and Corolla in Plants. 197 



are the primary ones, appears highly probable from two im- 

 portant considerations. 



The first is, that the corolla and nectary are, in most cases, 

 intimately connected with each other ; and the connexion of 

 both with the sexual organs is peculiarly striking. This is 

 beautifully exemplified in tubulous flowers, such as the stra- 

 monium, primrose, honeysucke, &c, in which the tube of the 

 corolla is the nectary, having the stamens inserted into it near 

 its summit, and surrounding the ovary with its base. The 

 same circumstance is displayed by the ringent, labiated, vio- 

 laceous, and orchideous flowers. In the genus Campanula, 

 the nectary consists of five valves covering the receptacle, and 

 each surmounted by a stamen, the base of the nectary being so 

 intimately connected with that of the corolla at the point of 

 insertion, that the one can scarcely be separated without 

 injuring the other. Similar instances might be adduced to 

 any extent ; but these will suffice for my present purpose. 



The other consideration to which I have alluded is the 

 concurrence of number. The stamens always bear a certain 

 proportion to the number of petals, or divisions of the limb 

 of the corolla. Thus flowers with 2 stamens have either 2 or 

 4 petals, or divisions of the limb ; if there be 3 stamens, there 

 will be 3 or 6 petals, or divisions ; if 4 stamens, 4 or 8 petals, 

 or divisions; if 5 stamens, 5 or 10 petals, or divisions; if 6 

 stamens, 3 or 6 petals, or divisions ; if 25 stamens, 5 petals, 

 or divisions ; and so on. 



The secondary uses of the corolla are, to enfold the sexual 

 organs during their infancy, and afford them a sheltering 

 covert in their mature state : opening and shutting as the 

 nature of the various species requires to be supplied with, or 

 defended from, a certain amount of heat, light, and moisture. 



In all these provisions, nature has one great end in view ; 

 namely, the reproduction of the species. The flower- bud 

 expands, the nectar is secreted, the germ is fostered, and the 

 food of the anthers is elaborated by the corolla. The anther 

 bursts, the pollen is shed on the stigma, the style conveys it 

 to the ovary, and the embryo seeds are fecundated. The 

 seeds come to maturity, they fall to the ground, they germi- 

 nate ; their plumule ascends, forming a stem, protruding the 

 branches, leaves, and flowers ; and their radicle descends, 

 and becomes a root. The root absorbs juices from the soil, 

 these juices ascend through the stem to the leaves, the leaves 

 elaborate them by exposure to certain stimulants, and from 

 thence they are conveyed as nourishment to all parts of the 

 plant. The flower-buds appear, they expand, the nectar is 

 secreted, and the same circle of operations continues to be 



