no PRACTICAL BOTANY 



Note the calyx with united sepals, gamosepalous : in the 

 male flowers there are ten stamens slightly united at the base, 

 and centrally a rudimentary gynoacium ; in the female flowers, 

 the gynoecium consists of five carpels, syncarpous and superior, 

 while around its base may be seen ten rudimentary stamens : 

 thus this plant illustrates cohesion of the sepals and of the 

 carpels, and a partial suppression of the stamens, or of the 

 carpels. 



IV. Examine flowers of the Bird-Cherry (Prunus Padus) : 

 they are arranged in racemose manner. Note that each flower 

 consists of 



1. A calyx of five sepals, inserted upon the so-called calyx- 

 tube, which may be regarded as an enlargement of the floral 

 receptacle. 



2. A corolla of five polypetalous petals also inserted on the 

 margin of the calyx-tube, the petals alternating in position with 

 the sepals. 



3. Andrcecium, composed of indefinite stamens, polyandrous, 

 and perigynous, i.e. inserted on the margin of the calyx-tube. 



4. Gyncecium, consisting of one carpel, superior : ovules two. 

 This is a typical perigynous flower, in which the sepals, 



petals, and stamens are inserted on the margin of the calyx- 

 tube. 



Compare flowers of Hawthorn (Cratccgtis oxyacantha), which 

 belongs to the same natural order : the number of parts is the 

 same as in the above, excepting that the carpels may be one, 

 two, or three. It differs however in the fact that from an early 

 period the calyx-tube is adherent to the ovary, and the ovary 

 accordingly is inferior. Compare the Apple. 



V. Examine flowers of the Primrose (Primula vulgaris), or 

 of the hothouse Primula (P. sinensis), and note that it is 

 composed of 



1. Calyx of five sepals, gamosepalous, inferior. 



2. Corolla of five petals, gamopetalous, hypogynous, and 

 alternating with the sepals. 



3. Andrcecium of five stamens, which are inserted on the 

 inner surface of the tube of the corolla (epipetalous) : they are 

 opposite the petals. 



