62 



CALYX. 



Fig. 70. 



is only found in Endogenous plants ; is very large in some 

 palms. The wild turnip (Arum) furnishes an example of a 

 spatha inclosing a sjxidix (Fig. 70, a). 



From the peculiar appearance of the spadix as it stands sur- 

 rounded by tlie spatha, it is sometimes called Jack-in-the-box. 

 The spatha is common in many of our cultivated exotics, as in 

 the Narcissus, where it appears brownish and "withered after 

 the full expansion of tlie flower. Fig. 70, h, represents the 

 spatha of the Arum ; Fig, 70, c, represents the spatha of the 

 Narcissus. In the Egyptian Lily {Calla ethiopica), the spatha 

 is white and permanent, and the stamens and pistils grow 

 upon different parts of the spadix. Palms have a spadix 

 which is often fruit-bearing. 



a. Glume (from gluma^ a husk). The flowers of the grasses 

 have neither calyx nor corolla; the essential organs (stamens 

 and pistils) are surrounded by small bracts or glumes, called 

 by Linnaeus the calyx. In the oat and wheat it forms the cliaff^ 

 a part which is thro\\m away as worthless. In the oat (Fig. 71) 

 there are two bracts, the one a little Fig. 71. 



lower than the other, and called the in- 

 ferior or outer^ and the opposite one 

 the superior or inn-er glume. In some 

 of the grasses, the glumes include many 

 flowers. 



h. The bracts situated at the base of 

 each separate flower are called glii^ 



melles or pcdece (by Linnoeus, the corolla) ; while the glumes 

 at the base of a spikelet of flowers, answer to the involu- 

 crum. In the oat (Fig. 71) there is, proceeding from the 

 back of the palea, a beard called an aion / when this proceeds 

 from the apex of the valve, it is called a seta or 'bristle. The 

 glumes are never awned, but sometimes bear bristles. The 

 bracts of grasses are transforined petioles .^ the awn is the midrib., 

 and bristles are extensions of the same. Within the paleie, at 

 the base of the ovary, may often be found one or two minute 

 bracts, called squamidm^ or little scales. 



c. Calyptra (from the Greek), signifying a veil. It is the cap, 

 or hood of pistillate mosses, resembling in form and position 

 the extinguisher of a candle."^^ Yolva., the ring, or wrapper of 

 the fungus plants ; it first incloses the head of the Fungus, 

 afterward bursts and contracts, remaining on the stems, or at 

 the root.f 



d. We have followed the divisions of Linnaaus in describing the different kinds of 

 calyces. We find that the calyx is not essential, but its presence adds to the com- 

 pleteness of the flower ; in some cases it is the most showy part ; as in a species of 

 the Lady's ear-drop, where it is of a bright scarlet color, and in the Egyptian Lily, 



See Fig. 160, c. 



t See Fig. 161, d. 



a. G\\xmf'—b. Palew — c. Calyotra — Use? of the calp*. 



