14 



PARTS OF A FLOWEK. 



11. Systematic Botany is divided into the Artificial and 

 Natural Systenis ; of the latter we shall not at jiresent treat. 



The Artificial^ System is founded npon dilt'erent circum- 

 Btances of the pistils and stamens. Linnaeus, of Sweden, dis- 

 covered that these organs are common to all perfect 2:>l(ints^ 

 and essential to their existence. Takini^; advantao;e of this 

 fact, he foimded divisions called 

 Classes andOrders^ upon iheiv 7iu77i- 

 her, situation, and proportion. Be- 

 fore the student can learn the prin- 

 ciples on which the classification 

 of plants depends, it is necessary 

 to become acquainted with the 

 parts of a flower. 



12. "We have here the represen- 

 tation of a white lily (Fig. 1). 

 The envelope is called the corolla, 

 from corona, a crown. The pieces 

 which compose the corolla are 

 called petals (Fig. 1, a). The six 

 thread-like organs within the co- 

 rolla are called stamens ; each sta- 

 men consists of a filament (Fig. 2, 

 a), and an antJier {h). The anther 

 contains the pollen, necessary to the perfection of the young 

 seed. In the centre of the flower is the pistil ; this consists 

 of the ovary (cT), the style {e), and the stigm.a {/). The ovary 

 contains the young seeds {ovules) ; these are contained in one 

 or more cells. The end of the stem which supports the organs 

 of the flower, is called the receptacle {g), sometimes thalamus 

 or torus. 



Fig. 1. 



Fig. 2. Fig. 3. 



When the seed is ripe, the ovary is called the pericarp. 



11. Systemalio.Bstany, how divided t-- Artificial MethcKl.— 12. Parts of a Flower. 



