CHAPTER XVIII. 

 FLOWERS, THEIR STRUCTURE AND KINDS. 



240. The different kinds of members, or parts, of the flower 

 appear to be arranged in whorls, because they are so closely 

 crowded on the stem. In some flowers, the buttercup and some 

 of its relatives, they are believed to be arranged in spirals similar 

 to the arrangement of the leaves, though so crowded that it is 

 difficult to determine. 



Studies of a few flowers are presented here to illustrate their 

 structure, as well as the arrangment and relation of their parts. 



I. FLOWERS OF DICOTYLEDONOUS PLANTS. 

 The Buttercup. 

 (Ranunculus.) 



241. Almost any of the species of buttercup will answer for 

 the study of the flower. This study is made from the tall or 

 meadow buttercup. It is common in fields and roadsides, 

 especially in the Northern States and Canada, from May to 

 September. The flowers are bright yellow and are borne two 

 or three or more in loose corymbs. 



243. The calyx. The outer whorl of members of the flower 

 is the calyx. In .the buttercup the calyx consists of five distinct 

 members. Each member or part of the calyx is known as a 

 sepal. In the meadow buttercup the sepals are elliptical in form 

 and greenish. They fall away very easily and it is necessary to 

 examine young flowers to see them. The calyx serves the 

 purpose of protecting the other members of the flower in 

 the bud. 



