378 FLOWER. 



ed that as the calyx is a continuation of the outer bark 

 of the flower-stalk, so the corolla is a continuation of 

 the inner bark. And hence, if of these two organs 

 only one is present, we have but to ascertain in what 

 part of the bark it originates, in order to say which it 

 is. This summary and decisive test looks indeed very 

 beautiful in theory ; but the observations of the acute 

 and sagacious Hedwig have shown that it is not found- 

 ed in fact. 



Linnaeus does not indeed impose it as a rule of prac- 

 tice, being furnished with what he might, perhaps, re- 

 gard as a better ; though the distinction is both clearly 

 and confidently stated in his work. But it has been 

 since adopted, with all its imperfections upon its head, 

 as the grand test of discrimination in this doubtful case, 

 even by the celebrated Jussieu himself, the first botan- 

 ist of the present age. In consequence of the adoption 

 of this opinion, Jussieu has been led to regard as a ca- 

 lyx, the beautiful blossom of the Tulip, and other lili- 

 aceous plants, which has been, by the common consent 

 of all other botanists whatever, regarded as a corolla."* 



The student therefore, who in the study of natural 

 orders, seeks the guidance of that learned naturalist, 

 will bear in mind, that what other writers term the co- 

 rolla, is the petaloid calyx of Jussieu. By applying 

 his own terms as he has defined them, we shall avoid 

 much unnecessary confusion ; and it becomes immate- 

 rial whether the splendid blossoms of liliaceous plants 

 rank with the calyx or corolla. t And indeed it has been 



* Keith, 

 t Jussieu has defined the corolla to be that covering of a flow- 

 er which is invested by the calyx ; rarely naked, being a contin- 

 uation of the liber or inner bark of the flower-stalk, not of the 

 epidermis ; crowning, but not united to the fruit ; its petals or 

 segments usually equalling, and alternating with the stamens, 



