PAPILIONACEOUS FLOWERS. 11 



their erect posture, to guard, from the injuries of un- 

 due moisture, the internal organs essential to the ex- 

 istence and propagation of the plant. In this apparent 

 contrivance of wisdom, the plant itself takes no in- 

 stinctive share, as it is produced mechanically by the 

 mere descent, or languid motion of the sap, induced 

 by the absence of the lisht and heat of day. 



Having now examined the calyx, (and examine you 

 must, for yourself, if the structure of plants is to be 

 any amusement,) you may now pull it off, so as to 

 leave the rest of the flower in its natural place, and 

 you will now plainly see that the corolla is polypetal- 

 ous. 



The first piece is a large petal, at first covering the 

 rest, and occupying the upper part of the corolla, 

 known to botanists by the name of the vexillum, 

 standard, or banner. 



The standard being removed, the two side petals to 

 which it adhered are brought to view ; these are called 

 alee or the wings, from their peculiar situation and ap- 

 pearance with the rest of the flower. 



Taking off the wings, you discover the last piece of 

 the corolla, which covers and defends the stamens and 

 pistillum. This last piece, formed, in fact, of two pe- 

 tals ingrafted together above, is, on account of its form, 

 termed the carina, keel or boat. 



In drawing downwards this sheathing petal, you 

 bring to view the stamens, which are ten in number, 

 or double the proportion of the other parts of the 

 flower ; these are very singular in their disposition, for 

 instead of being so many distinct stamens, they have 

 the filaments joined together at the sides, so as, at first 

 sight, to present a cylinder embracing the pistillum, but 

 they are only so in appearance, and as the germ ad- 

 vances in size, you perceive that the cylinder is cleft 

 above, and that the chasm is closed by a solitary sta- 



