THfi COROLLA. 25Q 



Linnaeus was of opinion that the Corolla 

 originated from the LiOci' or inner bark, as 

 the Calyx from the outer, but this cannot be 

 defended now the real physiology of the bark 

 is better understood. 



The whole use and physiology of the Co- 

 rolla have not yet been fully explained. As 

 a protection to the tender and important parts 

 within, especially from wet, its use in many 

 cases is obvious, but by no means in all. 

 Linnaeus imagined it to serve as wings, to 

 w^aft the flovA er up and down in the air, and 

 so to promote the functions of the Stamens 

 and Pistils, as will hereafter be described ; 

 nor is this opinion unfounded. 



Sprengel has ingeniously demonstrated, in 

 some hundreds of instances, how the Corolla 

 serves as an attraction to insects, indicating 

 by various marks, sometimes perhaps by its 

 scent, where they may find honey, and ac- 

 commodating them with a convenient resting- 

 place or shelter while they extract it. This 

 elegant and ingenious theory receives con- 

 firmation from almost every flower we exa- 

 mine. Proud man is disposed to think that 

 "Full many a flower is horn to blush unseen/* 

 S 2 



