SECT. III. THE RECEPTACLE. 131 



distinct in nature. But if there are cases in which 

 nature has not marked out the boundaries of the dif- 

 ferent organs by some specific trait, man will search 

 for them in vain. It must be admitted, indeed, that 

 there are many genera in which the corolla and 

 stamens are inserted in a sort of fleshy substance 

 lining the hollow of the calyx,, which to them is no 

 doubt a receptacle. But it is at the same time ob- 

 vious that this substance is incorporated into the 

 calyx, or united with it, so as that the two form but 

 one body. If, therefore, we call it a receptacle we 

 must admit that it partakes also of the character 

 of a calyx ; and if we call it a calyx we must 

 admit that it partakes also of the character of a re- 

 ceptacle. 



This can be nowhere better exemplified than in 

 the genus Pyrus or Rubus, in which the intimate 

 union of the receptacle and calyx is obvious even in 

 the mature state of the ovary, the calyx being still 

 permanently attached to the shrunk receptacle, from 

 which indeed it cannot be separated except by force. 



But in the flower of the genus Rosa, to which But sub- 

 Mr. Salisbury so loudly appeals, there is certainly by facts? 

 some room for doubt with regard to the accuracy of 

 the description by which the corolla or stamens are 

 said to be inserted into the calyx ; because in flowers 

 of this genus the segments, at least of what is 

 usually called the calyx, are deciduous, which de- 

 ciduity seems to point out to us the natural line of 

 distinction between the calyx and receptacle, as in 



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