18 



ARRANGEMENT OF PARTS IN THE COTTON PLANT. 



The two large lobes of the calyx alternate with two of the involu- 

 cral bracts, and each of these lobes is usually provided with a nectary. 

 The intermediate lobe and the remaining small lobe do not appear to 

 be definitely alternate or opposite to any of the bracts. (Fig. 6.) 

 Often the intermediate lobe approaches the size of the large lobes, 

 especially in the Upland varieties. It then appears more nearly 

 alternate with the involucral bracts and usually has a nectary at its 



base, like the other large 

 lobes. In other cases the 

 nectary is usually absent. 



ARRANGEMENT OF THE 

 INTRACALICARY OR- 

 GANS. 



Inside of the cah^c: of the 

 cotton flower, between the 

 calyx and the petals, a series 

 of small, greenish, oboval or 

 spatulate organs may often 

 be found. (Fig. 7.) The com- 

 plete number of these organs 

 is five and they are arranged 

 in regular alternation with 

 the lobes of the calyx. The 

 size is extremely variable, so 

 that the full number is sel- 

 dom to be seen by the naked 

 eye. Some of them are usu- 

 ally represented by minute 

 rudiments visible under a lens 

 as small tufts of hairs at the 

 base of the calyx. When very 

 large they may extend to the 

 margin of the calyx, and in rare cases may project slightly above it. 

 That those organs are arranged in alternation with the lobes of the 

 calyx is rendered the more apparent by the fact that they stand in 

 front of faint transparent lines that mark the sutures between the 

 component parts of the calyx. This was first observed in the Willet's 

 Red Leaf variety of Upland cotton, where the deep-red color of the 

 outside of the calyx makes the transparent lines more distinct. 

 These lines are often very faint, but they seem to be generally present. 

 The intracalicary organs may be free from the calyx to near the base 

 or they may be united with the calyx at the back, along the sutures 



222 



Fig. 5.— Flower of Upland cotton, from (he side, showing 

 the position of the small calyx lobe opposite the smallest 

 bract. (Natural size.) 



