THE FLOWER. 



37 



To sum up the irregularities of flowers as they actually exist, let almost 

 any one be compared with a typical flower, which is perfect, having both 

 kinds of essential organs; complete, having all the sorts of organs 

 which any flower possesses, namely, calyx, corolla, stamens, and pistils ; 

 regular, all parts of each set being alike ; symmetrical, with the same 

 number of parts in each set. 



The arrangement of the floral organs upon the receptacle next demands 

 attention. 



The calyx is commonly attached to the lower border of the receptacle ; 



FIG. 



). Perigynous stamens and petals 

 of the peach. 



FIG. 70. Perigynous >tamens and petals of the 

 wild rose. 



the corolla next above, its petals alternate with or opposite the sepals ; 

 above the corolla are the stamens, and above these the pistils. In such an 

 orderly arrangement as this the organs beneath the pistils are said to be 

 hypogynous, and the pistil, in relation to them, is said to be superior 

 (Figs. 67 and 68). All the organs in this case are inserted on the re- 

 ceptacle. 



In other cases the calyx and pistil only have direct relation with the 

 receptacle, the corolla and stamens being inserted on the former ; they are 

 then said to be perigynous (Figs. 69 and 70). Again, the calyx may be 



FIG. 71. Calyx superior. FIG. 72. Calyx half-superior. - 



coherent with the pistil in whole or in part ; in these cases the calyx is 

 said to be superior or half"superior (Figs. 71 and 72), while the corolla 

 and stamens are, as before, perigynous. In case the tube of the calyx 

 ends at the summit of the ovary, its lobes as well as the petals and sta- 

 mens appearing as if inserted on the ovary, they are termed epigynous. 



