COROLLA. 173 



the flower and assumes the appearance of the calyx, it 

 is somewhat difficult to decide, whether it be a bracte 

 or not. In such cases if it falls with the other parts of 

 the flower ; it is to be regarded as a calyx, but if it re- 

 mains attached the the fruit till the leaves begin to fade 

 as in the common Fennel flower JVigella Damascena, it 

 is considered to be a bracte. 



This organ assumes a great variety of forms, being Ctf(* 

 green in the Orchis, yellowish in the Lime tree, purple 

 in Clary, and scarlet in Bartsia coccinea or Painted 

 cup. The coloured bracte of the latter is very con- 

 spicuous in our meadows during the spring months, and 

 is usually mistaken for the blossom, which in that plant 

 is without beauty and secluded from our view. 



The floral leaf of the Lime tree, Fig. 104, serves to 

 distribute the seed ; that of the Atractyiis cancellata, 

 Fig. 61, is spinous, and encloses and protects the calyx. 



2. COROLLA. 



This term is applied to the interior covering of the 

 flower, which is morfr conspicuous than the calyx, 

 more slender in its fabric, and more richly coloured. 

 It is white in the Blood-root ; yellow in the Butter- 

 cups ; orange in the Pleurisy-root and 0?*chis ciliata ; 

 scarlet in the Cardinal flower ; purple in the Crane's- 

 bill ; and blue in Borage and Spider-wort. 



If the calyx invests a single corolla, as in the Peach 

 and Convolvulus, the flower is said to be simple ; but 

 when it encloses an assemblage of corollas, as in 

 the Dandelion and Thistle, the flower is said to be com- 

 pound ; and the individual corallas are denominated 

 florets. 



The corolla is monopetalous or composed of one 

 * 16 



