OF FRUCTIFICATIOIS^. ] 85 



vidual plants may be long without blossoms, there 

 are none, so far as nature has been thoroughly inves- 

 tigated, that are not capable, in favourable circum- 

 stances, of producing them, as well as seeds; to whose 

 perfection the blossoms themselves are altogether sub- 

 servient. 



Linnaeus distinguishes seven parts of fructification, 

 some of which are essential to the very nature of a 

 flower or fruit, others not so indispensably necessary, 

 and therefore not universal. 



I. Calyx, the Calyx or Flower-cup, generally resem- 

 bling the leaves in texture and colour, and forming 

 the outermost part of a flower. This is not essential, 

 and is often absent. 



II. Corolla, the Corolla, or more delicate coloured 

 internal leaf or leaves, properly petals, of a flower, 

 likewise not essential. 



III. Stamen, or Stamina, the Stamen or Stamens, 

 commonly of a slender or thread-like form, bearing 

 some kind of knob or cellular body, and ranged 

 internally with respect to the Corolla. These are 

 essential. 



IV. Pistillum, or Pistilla, the Pistil, or Pistils, in the 

 centre of the flower, consisting of the rudiments of 



