Ch XVIU.J CLASSIFICATION. Ill 



gular corollas are various in their lorms ; tue papilionaceous 

 seem, as they stand upon their stem, to consist of an upper ami 

 under part. 



468. In examining a flower of this kind, a Pea, for example, 

 you should first observe the calyx, this is monosepalous, that is, 

 one entire sepal, ending in five distinct leafy points ; the two 

 upper ones wider than the three under ones. The calyx bends 

 towards the lower part, as does also the peduncle, or little stalk 

 which supports it. The peduncle is very flexible ; so that the 

 flower readily avoids facing a current of air, and turns its back 

 u> the wind and rain. 



469. In examining the corolla, you will see that it is polype- 

 talous. The first piece is a large petal covering the others, and 

 occupying the under part of the corolla ; it is called the stand- 

 ard or banner. This petal is evidently designed, to protect 

 the stamens and other parts of the flower, from the injuries ot 

 the weather. Upon taking off the banner you will find that it 

 is inserted by a little process, or projecting part, into the side 

 pieces, so that it cannot be easily separated by winds. The ban- 

 ner being taken off, the two side pieces to which it adhered are 

 exposed to view; these are called the wings ; they are strong- 

 *y inserted into the remaining part of the corolla, and their use 

 appears to be, that of protecting the sides of the flower. Upon 

 taking off the wings, you will discover the last piece of the co- 

 rolla, called, on account of its form, the keel, or boat. This 

 covers and protects the stamens and pistils. 



470. Upon drawing the keel downwards, you will find ten 

 stamens ; they are joined together by the sides of their filaments, 

 appearing like a cylinder surrounding the pistil. 



471. One of these stamens, however, does not adhere to the 

 rest ; but as the flower fades and the fruit increases, it separates 

 and leaves an opening at the upper side, through which the 

 germ can extend itself by gradually opening the cylinder. In 

 the early stage of the flower, this stamen will seem not to be 

 separated ; but by carefully moving it with a pin or needle, its 

 filament will be found unconnected with the other nine. 



472. Most of the papilionaceous plants belong to the class 

 iXadelphia, order Decandria. But if the flower, although pa- 

 pilionaceous, should have ten stamens all in one set, it is then 

 placed in the class Decandria. According to this arrange- 

 ment, a very striking natural family of plants is widely sepa- 



468. "What are the appearances presented by a pea flower ? 



4t>9. What may be seen by examining the corolla of a pea 1 



470. How many stamens does this flower contain'? 



471. Do they all adhere together'? 



472. To what class do most of the papilionaceous flowers beloLg? 



