Surrounding the stamens and pistils is the Corolla, 

 each leaf or separate piece of which is called a 

 Petal. Surrounding the corolla and forming the 

 outer envelope of the flower is the Calyx, each leaf 

 of which is called a Sepal. 



A stamen consists of two parts, namely, the Fila- 

 ment or stalk and the Anther. The latter is the only 

 essential part. It is a case, commonly with two lobes 

 or cells, each opening lengthwise by a slit, at the 

 proper time, and discharging a powder or dust-like 

 substance, usually of yellow color. This powder is 

 the Pollen, or fertilizing matter to produce which is 

 the sole office of the stamen. 



A pistil is distinguished into three parts, namely- 

 beginning from below Ovary, the Style, and the 

 Stigma. The ovary is the hollow case or young pod 

 containing rudimentary seeds, called Ovules. 



The style is the tapering part above, sometimes 

 long and slender, sometimes short, and not rarely 

 altogether wanting, for it is not an essential part, 

 like the two others. The stigma is the tip or some 

 other portion of the style (or of the top of the ovary 

 when there is no distinct style), consisting of loose 

 tissue, not covered, like the rest of the plant, by a 

 skin or epidermis. It is upon the stigma that the 

 pollen falls; and the result is that the ovules con- 

 tained in the ovary are fertilized and become seeds, 

 by having an embryo formed in them. To the pistil, 

 therefore, all the other organs of the blossom are 

 in some way or other subservient; the stamens 

 furnish pollen to fertilize its ovules; the corolla and 

 the calyx form coverings which protect the whole. 



CRYPTOGAMOUS PLANTS. Plants of the lower order 

 of vegetation, such as Ferns, Mosses, Lichens, Fungi 

 and Mushrooms do not bear blossoms, (with 

 stamens and pistils), nor seed. Instead of seed 



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