THE INFLORESCENCE, AND THE FLOWER 



255 



that is, it is borne at the end of its stalk. The parts which the recep- 

 tacle bears may be grouped as : — 



(1) Sepals, which are the lowest and outermost parts. They are 

 usually leaf-like, being firm and green in texture. They constitute 

 the Calyx, the office of which is protective to the inner parts of the 

 young bud (Fig. 177, Sep.). 



(2) Petals, which lie internally to them, and are usually delicate in 

 texture and in tint. They constitute the Corolla, and serve chiefly 

 for attracting attention by colour and scent (Fig. 177, Pet.). 



Fig. 177. 



Vertical section through a flower of the Quince, Cydonia (Rosaceae). up— sepals. 

 £rt=petals. si=stamens. c = apices of the carpels, elongated into styles. ou = ovules. 

 n= nectaries. The receptacle is here hollowed out, so that the carpels appear sunk 

 down into a cavity. (After Church.) 



(3) Stamens, which are inserted internally to the petals, and are 

 usually club-shaped, and yellow in colour. Each bears Pollen-Sacs, 

 commonly four in number. The stamens are styled collectively the 

 Androecium, 1 and their function is to produce Pollen (Fig. 177, St.). 



(4) Carpels, one or more of which occupy the centre, and are 

 usually of pod-like form, and either green or colourless (Fig. 177, c). 

 They are styled collectively the Pistil, or Gynoecium, 1 and their 



1 The correct spellings of these words, as based on derivation, are 

 androecium and gynaeceum. But as it is inconvenient to maintain this 

 difference in spelling in view of the cognate meanings of the terms, it is 

 best to sacrifice strict accuracy, and to assimilate the spellings. The words 

 will therefore stand in the text as androecium and gynoecium. 



