CHAP. II. 



FLOWER. 



127 



believe I was ihe first who explained the true nature of the 

 urceolus, in my translation of Richard's Analyse du Fruit, 

 printed in 1819. (p. 13.) 



At the base of the ovary of Cyperacese are often found little 

 filiform appendages, called hypogynous setce {Jig' 68. d) by 

 most botanists, and periyynmm by Nees von Esenbeck. 

 These are probably of the nature of the squamulae of Grasses, 

 and have been named jjerisporum by some French writers. 



Bracts are generally distinct from each other, and imbri- 

 cated or alternate. Nevertherless, there are some striking 

 exceptions to this ; as remarkable instances of which may be 

 cited Althaea and Lavatera among Malvaceae, all Dipsaceae, 

 and some Trifolia, particularly my Tr. cyathiferum [Hooker 

 Fl. Boreali-Amer.), in all which the bracts are accurately ver- 

 ticillate, and their margins confluent, as in a true caljoc. 



4. Of the Flower. 



70 71 72 



The Flower is a terminal bud inclosing the organs of 

 reproduction by seed. By the ancients the term flower was 

 restricted to what is now called the corolla; but Linnaeus 

 wisely extended its application to the union of all the organs 

 which contribute to the process of fecundation. The flower, 

 therefore, as now understood, comprehends the ccdyx, the 

 corolla, the stamens, and the pistil, of which the two last only 

 are indispensable. The calyx and corolla may be wanting, 

 and a flower will nevertheless exist ; but, if neither stamens 



