THE FLOWER. 35 



these flowers are of rare occurrence, unless 

 they are produced by cultivation, as in the 

 case of the snow-ball. If our definition in- 

 cludes the stamen-bearing flower of the wil- 

 low we must modify it after this manner: 

 The flower is that part of the plant which is 

 destined to produce or to aid directly in 

 producing the seed. The office which the 

 stamen-flower exerts in aiding to produce 

 the seed will be discussed at another time. 

 (Page 77 et seq.) 



It now remains to find names for some 

 of the different kinds of flowers. A flower 

 which has calyx, coroUa, and one or more 

 stamens and pistils is said to be complete ; 

 if any of these organs are missing it is in- 

 complete. One which has only floral envel- 

 opes, as the snow-ball, is neutral. One 

 which contains both stamens and pistils is 

 perfect ; when either stamens or pistils are 

 wanting it is imperfect. One bearing only 

 stamens is staminate ; only pistils, pistil- 

 late. When a flower has both calyx and 

 corolla and the petals are not united, it is 

 polypetalous ; when the petals are united, 

 as in the morning-glory and mint, it is cfam- 

 opetalous or monopetalous ; when either 

 calyx or coroUa, or both, is absent, it is apet- 



