92 CALYX. 



Palms have a spadix which is branched, and often bear* a 

 great quantity of fruit. 



Fig. 48. 



Glume, is from the latin word gluma, a husk. This is the 

 calyx of the grasses, and grass like plants. In the oat, and 

 wheat, it forms the chaff, a part which is thrown away as 

 worthless. In the oat (Fig. 48), the glume calyx is composed 

 of two pieces or valves ; in some kinds of grain, of but one, in 

 others of more than two valves. To the glume belongs the 

 awn or beard. The corolla of grasses is husky, like the calyx, 

 and is sometimes considered as a part of it. A French Bota- 

 nist says, that there is in the grasses, neither calyx nor corolla, 

 that these scales are only membranous bracts. He thinks, the 

 confusion with respect to those parts has tended to render the 

 study of grasses difficult. 



Calyptra. This term is derived from the Greek, and signifies 

 a veil. It is the cap, or hood of pistillate mosses, resembling 

 inform and position the extinguisher of a candle. 



Volva, or curtain ; the ring or wrapper of the Fungus plants. 

 It first encloses the head of the Fungus, afterwards bursts and 

 contracts ; remaining on the stems, or at the root. 



We have now considered the different kinds of calyx ; we 

 find that the calyx is not essential, since it is wanting in some 

 plants, but its presence adds to the completeness of the flower; 

 and in some cases it is the most showy part ; as in the Lady's- 

 ear-drop, where it is of a bright scarlet colour, and the Egyp- 

 tian Lily, where it is pure white. 



The calyx is of use in protecting the other parts of the flow- 

 er, before they expand, and afterwards supporting them, by 

 keeping all in their proper position. 



Pinks having petals with long and slender feet, which would 

 drop or break without support, have a calyx. Tulips having 



GlumeCalyptra Volva Uses of the calyx. 



