24 INTRODUCTION. 



OF THE FLOWERS AND FRUIT. 



The Organs, of which the principal modifications are above 

 defined, being subservient to the growth of the individual, are 

 named Organs of Nutrition, as already mentioned. Those which 

 we have now to examine are the Organs of Reproduction. 



The Flower and Fruit are generally termed the Fructification, 

 which Linnaeus defines " a temporary part of vegetables, destined 

 for the reproduction of the species, terminating the old indi- 

 vidual, and beginning the new." There are distinguished seven 

 parts of fructification, some of which however are not of universal 

 occurrence. These seven parts are the Calyx,' the Corolla, the 

 Nectary, the Stamens, the Pistils, the Seed-vessel, the Seed, and 

 the Receptacle. The seed, the pistil, and the stamen, are the most 

 essential parts. The receptacle is always present ; but the corolla 

 and the calyx are frequently wanting. 



Fig. 106 shews four seeds in the bottom of a calyx. 



Fig. 107 shews a seed-vessel and a calyx. 



Fig. 108 shews a style, a, with six stamens. 



Fig. 109 shews a corolla, a, and a calyx, b. 



The Receptacle is the point of union of these parts. 



The Nectary is various, and will be afterwards shewn. 



I. Of the Calyx. 



The Calyx or Flower-cup forms the outer part or covering of 

 the flower. It may be of one or of several pieces or leaves, and 

 is generally of a green colour. It is sometimes wanting, in 

 which case the flower is said to be naked. Several varieties of the 

 calyx are distinguished. 



1. The Perianth or Calyx properly so called (Fig. 109, b. 

 110, a.) is contiguous to the corolla or other internal parts of the 

 flower, closely investing them. But by this term is now gene- 

 rally meant the covering of the stamen and pistils, or the Calyx 

 and the Corolla. The following varieties may be mentioned. 



A simple Calyx, when there is only one, as is generally the case. 



Double (Fig. 111.), when there are two, or rather two sets of 

 leaves. 



One- leaved or of one leaf, Monophyllous, or Monosepalous, 

 the pieces or leaves of the calyx being called Sepals (Fig. 112.), 

 when it consists of a single piece, which however may be van- 



