FUNCTIONS OF THE ORGANS OF THE FLOWER. 11 



into radical and cauline, and the latter make up the 

 flower, the parts of which are four in number, viz.: 



calyx, corolla, stamens, and pistil. 



It is of great importance that you should make your- 

 selves thoroughly familiar with the different parts of the 

 plant, as just described, before going further, and to 

 that end it will be desirable for you to review the pre- 

 sent chapter carefully, giving special attention to those 

 parts which were not perfectly plain to you on your first 

 reading. 



In the next chapter, we shall give a very brief account 

 of the uses of the different parts of the flower. If found 

 too difficult, the study of it may be deferred until further 

 progress has been made in plant-examination. 



CHAPTER IL 



FUNCTIONS OF THE ORGANS OF THE FLOWER. 



14. The chief use of the calyx and corolla, or floral 

 envelopes, as they are collectively called, is to protect the 

 other parts of the flower. They enclose the stamens and 

 pistil in the bud, and they usually wither away and dis- 

 appear shortly after the anthers have shed their pollen, 

 that is, as we shall presently see, as soon as their services 

 as protectors are no longer required. 



15. The corollas of flowers are usually bright-coloured, 

 and frequently sweet-scented. There is little doubt that 

 these qualities serve to attract insects, which, in search 



