180 FLOWER. 



sion-flower, Fig. 20, is composed of several filiform 

 appendages, which arise from the base of the flower in 

 three concentric circles, and form a triple " crown of 

 glory." 



In the Grasses the nectary is very delicate and often 

 transparent, being filiform in many of the Rushes, Figs. 

 74 and 75, and resembling a scale in other examples: 

 These are the Involucellate filaments, (Setce) frequently 

 described by Mr. Nuttail in his kk Genera of North 

 American plants". The same writer has used the 

 term Lepanthium to designate the petaloid nectaries of 

 Linnaeus. He applies it to the crown of the Narcissus, 

 to the hooded nectaries of the Silkweeds, Fig. 87, to 

 the hornlike appendages of the Columbine and Lark- 

 spur, and to the singular organs which have been al- 

 ready noticed in the concave petal of the Monk's hood. 

 He also applies it to the nectaries of Parnassia, which 

 arise from the petals, and terminate in three filaments, 

 as in Parnassia Caroliniana or in several Fig. 80, as in 

 Parnassia palustris. Each of these filaments is tipped 

 with a yellow summit, which the inexperienced botanist 

 would be apt to confound with the adjacent stamens, 

 but if he traces them to their origin his mistake will be 

 at once corrected. The nectary furnishes a receptacle 

 for the honey which is secreted by the flower ; but 

 there has been much diversity of opinion respecting 

 the uses of this secretion. Some regard it as the food 

 by which the surrounding organs are nourished, or by 

 which the unripe seeds are perfected ; but others, and 

 among them Dr. Smith, believe " that the sole use of 

 the honey with respect to the plant is to tempt insects 

 who in procuring it scatter the dust of the anthers, and 

 fertilize the flower." 



