58 THE FIOWER. 



1'he kinds of calyx, which we have described, aro the 

 most important that botanical writers enumerate. They are 

 seven in number, viz. Perianth, Involucre, Ament, Spathe, 

 Glume, Volva, and Calyptra. 



These parts, especially the Perianth, Ament, and Spathe, 

 are exceedingly various in their forms and situations, so that 

 the pupil will often be at a loss conceri.ing them. In a con- 

 siderable number of plants, the perianth is deciduous, by 

 which is meant that it continues with the flower, and drops 

 off along with it, or when it begins to wither ; in others it is 

 caducous, or falls off before the flower. In the greater num- 

 ber, however, it is permanent, that is, it remains after the 

 flower has disappeared, and until the fruit is perfected. At 

 the base of a pea-pod, for instance, the perianth is as perfect 

 as it was in the blossom, and in many species it continues, 

 forming a kind of case, or capsule, protecting the seeds, as in 

 the Henbane, (Hyoscyamus.) 



The brownish withered leaves surrounding the cavity in 

 the base of an apple, or pear, are the remains of that variety 

 of calyx called the perianth. In the Peony, when in blossom, 

 the perianth may be observed, including not only the stamens 

 and pistils, but the fruit, or seed vessel also. In the Poppy, 

 the calyx, which is a perianth, falls off before, or soon after 

 the flower expands. Before flowering, the petals of this 

 plant are enclosed in its calyx, consisting of two large green 

 leaves, which are not to be found when the flower is fully 

 expanded, having dropped to the ground. 



We have said that in some plants the calyx is entirely 

 wanting, as in the Lily. In other instances it forms the most 

 highly colored and showy part of the flower, and in others it 

 serves as the seed vessel, as in the Catnep and Hyssop. In 

 the Hollyhock, the calyx is double, and in the Thorn-apple, 

 (Datura,) this part separates transversely, the upper part fall- 

 ing off, while the lower remains attached to the young fruit. 



COROLLA. 



We have already seen that the corolla is the most delicate, 

 highly colored, and conspicuous part of the flower. In rela- 

 tion to the calyx, it is the inner part, or whorl. When two 



How many kinds of calyx have been described ? What is said of the 

 proportion which exists between deciduous and permanent calyxes 1 

 What is said of the calyx of the poppy 1 



