56 



THE FLOWER. 



Fig. 104. 



Ament, Fig. 103, Amentum, or Catkin. Fl s- 103 - 



This consists of many chaffy scales, at- 

 tached to a thread, which is the common 

 receptacle, or part which connects the 

 whole together. These scales are the ca- 

 lyxes of the small flowers or florets which 

 they cover and protect. Each scale, with 

 the parts which it protects, may therefore 

 be considered as a distinct flower. In 

 some Catkins there are both stamens and 

 pistils, but more commonly the stamens 

 are in one and the pistils in another. In the Willow, (Salix,) 

 Walnut, (Juglans,) and Chestnut, (Castanea,) the flowers are 

 contained in Catkins. In most cases these parts fall off soon 

 after the time of flowering, as in the trees above named ; but 

 in a few instances they remain on the tree, enlarge arid pro- 

 tect the seed as well as the flowers, as in the Pine and Fir 

 tribe. 



Spathe, Fig. 104, Sheath. Some flowers 

 before their petals expand, are enclosed in 

 a covering, which bursts longitudinally at 

 the time of flowering. The membrane so 

 enclosing the flower, is called a spathe, or 

 sheath. The flower stalk continuing to 

 grow, leaves this part below it, forming the 

 kind of calyx shown in the figure. The 

 Daffodil, Onion, and Tiger flower, are ex- 

 amples. When the part which protrudes from the spathe, is 

 an elongated receptacle, it is called a spadioc, as in the Calla 

 Ethiopica, and Indian turnip, (Arum.) 



G/wme,Fig.l05,aHusk. This 

 ,s the calyx of the grains and 

 grasses. In some species it is 

 composed of a single piece only ; 

 in others of two pieces, as here 

 represented, and in others of four 

 pieces. In the language of Bot- 

 any, these pieces are called 

 valves. Thus the glume of the 

 oat is two valved. To the glume 

 is often attached the beard, or 



What is an ament or catkin ? What flowers are contained in catkins ? 

 What are the parts of plants meant by spathe and spadix ] What is a 

 glume ? What are the pieces composing a glume called ? 



Fig. 105. 



