20* ORIGIN OF THE CALYX. 



Lycoperdon fomicatum, t. 198 ; also the very curious 

 L. phalloides, t. 390, now made a distinct genus by 

 the learned Persoon, under the name of Batarrea 

 phalloides. 



Linnasus adopted from Caesalpinus the opinion that 

 the Calyx proceeded from the bark, like the leaves, be- 

 cause of its similarity in colour and texture to those 

 orgaris. He even refined upon the original idea, and 

 supposed this part to proceed from the outer bark, while 

 the more delicate corolla oria'inated in the liber. What 

 is now known of the physiology of the bark, as explain- 

 ed in several of our preceding chapters, renders this hy- 

 pothesis totally inadmissible. 



The knowledge of the real use of leaves, see chapter 

 16, may however throw some light upon that of the 

 calyx. Besides protection of the flower from external 

 injuries, which is one evident use of this part, it ap- 

 pears highly probable that it may often contribute to the 

 growth and strength of the stalk which supports it, as 

 the leaves do to that portion of branch below them. The 

 stalk often swells considerably during the growth of the 

 flower, especially just below the calyx, becoming more 

 woody, an alteration frequently necessary for the support 

 of the ripening fruit. When the calyx falls very early, 

 as in the Poppy tribe, Papaver and Glaiicium^ I cannot 

 find that the fiower=stalk is subsequently enlarged, nor 

 in any manner altered ; while in genera without num- 

 ber, whose calyx is permanent, the stalk becomes not 

 only more woody, but often considerably thickened. 



II, Corolla. The Corolla, vulgarly called the leaves 

 of the fiowerj consists of those more delicate and dila 



