OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 43 



two-sepalled calyx for many days compresses the tassel-like 

 cluster of stamens. Each half of the calyx is boat-shaped, and 

 before they burst they have the form and colour of clean plump 

 groats; as already hinted, the stamens are numerous, and 

 the anthers large for so small a flower, being spathulate. As, 



FlG. 20. BOCCONIA COKDATA. 



(About one-twentieth natural size ; blossom, one-half>atural;size.) 



soon as the stamens become exposed, the calyx falls, and in a 

 short time a few hours the fugacious anthers disappear, 

 to be followed only a little later by the fall of the filaments ; 

 there is then left a naked but headed capsule, half the size of 

 the buds, and of the same colour ; they may be traced on the 

 panicle in the illustration (Fig. 20). From the fading quality 



