336 



HUTCHINSON'S POPULAR BOTANY 



In some flowers as the Carrot (Daucus carota, fig. 403) the calyx is a 

 quite inconsiderable set of organs ; while in others, as the Alpine Liane 

 (Atragene alpina). Delphinium consolida, the Hellebores (Helleborus), and the 

 curious MolucMa, it forms the most attractive part of the flower. This is 

 notably the case with the shallow bell-shaped calyxes of the last-named 

 flower, to which is due the very singular appearance of the densely packed 

 axillary flowers, arranged in whorls on the stems. Delphinium has its 

 posterior sepal prolonged as a spur, into which the two petals (or. rather, 

 gamopetalous corolla), which are also spurred, fit as neatly as a lady's finger 

 in a glove. Now in this flower the petaloid spur is the nectary, so that 



the ensheathing sepal of the 

 calyx is simply a beautiful 

 arrangement for the protec- 

 tion of the nectar. The 

 Garden Nasturtium (Tropceo- 

 lum majus) is also furnished 

 with a spurred calyx, but 

 the corolla has no such ap- 

 pendage ; nor is one required, 

 for, in this instance, the sepa- 

 line spur is itself the nectary 

 (figs. 410 and 411). 



In the Monkshood (Aconi- 

 tum) we have an example 

 of a helmet-shaped or galeate 

 calyx (fig. 409). The two 

 posterior sepals unite to form 

 the helmet ; and the structure, 

 which reminds one of the 

 head-armour of some Homeric 

 hero, affords excellent pro- 

 tection to the anthers and 

 FIG. 409. MONKSHOOD (Aconitum napellus). nectaries. The two lateral 



Humble-bee entering helmet-shaped (galeate) flower. Sepals are Serviceable ill 



another way, as they form a platform for humble-bees, which pla}- an 

 important part in the pollination of the flower. 



The urn-shaped or urceolate floral receptacle of the Eose (Rosa) that 

 green shiny swelling which afterwards changes to a red colour and forms 

 the outer covering of the berry is often spoken of as the calyx ; but it is 

 more correct to restrict this term to the five segments which spring from the 

 somewhat contracted margin of the urn, and which, in such cases, are simply 

 free sepals (fig. 405). As these sepals remain after the fruit has ripened, the 

 calyx is said to be persistent a, feature which the Rose possesses in common 

 with the Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger, fig. 412), Mallow (Malva\ Pear (Pyrus 



