52 THE FLOWER. 



It is obvious that flowers consist of several parts which 

 <hffer from each other in respect to color, shape, hardness, 

 durability, and texture. The beauty of this part as a whole, 

 indeed, depends in a great measure on the variety of color 

 and shape which the different parts present. Thus the red 

 Rose would lose much of its beauty, were its centre colored 

 red instead of yellow, and were this part formed of petals in- 

 stead of stamens and pistils. Nor could the Passion flower 

 claim such pre-eminence among the beauties and singularities 

 of the garden, did it not possess, in addition to its contrast of 

 colors, such peculiarities in the forms of its different parts. 

 Now botanical descriptions depend, to a certain degree, on 

 the differences which the parts of different flowers present, 

 and therefore it is necessary that each part should have its 

 appropriate name, so that it may be distinguished from all 

 other parts. No two flowers of different classes exactly re- 

 semble each other, for were this the case, they would belong 

 to the same species. It is the difference in their forms and 

 number, and situation of their corresponding parts, that forms 

 the basis of their scientific arrangement into classes, orders, 

 &c. As we proceed, we hope to make this important part 

 of botany both interesting and easily comprehended. 



Calyx, Fig. 94. The Calyx or flower cup, is Fi - 

 the external part of the flower, or the cup in which 

 the petals are placed. It is generally of the color 

 of the leaves, which it also resembles in texture. 

 This part has a great variety of forms in the differ- 

 ent genera, and in accordance has received several appro- 

 priate names, which will be explained in their proper places. 

 Sometimes the calyx consists of several distinct parts, or 

 leaves, called sepals, and sometimes it consists of only a sin- 

 gle piece, when it is called monophyllous, or single leaved, 

 from monos, one, and phullon, a leaf. The calyx here repre- 

 sented is monophyllous, and five parted ; that is, it consists 

 of five parts above, which are all united at the base. Ex. 

 Bugloss, (Anchusa,) Tobacco, (Nicotiana.) In the Lily and 

 several other genera, the calyx is wanting. 



On what does the beauty of the flower depend ? What part of the 

 flower is the calyx ? What are the leaves, or distinct parts of the calyx 

 called ? When is the calyx called monophyllous ? 





