ANGIOSPERMS 223 



however, the petals appear to be united so that the corolla 

 becomes a cup, urn, tube, funnel, or the like (Figs. 208 

 and 209). This condition of the corolla is so constant in 

 the highest group of Angiosperms that the group is called 

 the Sympetalce, because the corollas are sympetalous (petals 

 together). 



In many flowers with sympetalous corollas there is an 

 irregular development, so that the mouth of the tube, 



FIG. 209. Sympetalous flowers: A, bluebell; B, phlox; C, dead-nettle; D, snap- 

 dragon; E, toadflax. After GRAY. 



instead of being regular, is divided into two unequal lips, 

 as in the mints and many others (Fig. 209, C E). Such 

 flowers are said to be bilabiate (two-lipped), and on this 

 account the Mint Family is named Labiatce. Such corollas 

 may have further irregularities in the form of more or 

 less conspicuous projections at the base called spurs (Fig. 

 209, E). It must not be supposed that irregular growths 

 are found only in connection with sympetalous corollas; 

 for the sweet pea represents a great family in which the 

 petals are all separate, and yet they are very much unlike; 

 and in the violet, whose petals are distinct, one of them 

 has a conspicuous spur. 



The corolla is useful in protecting the young stamens 

 and carpels, but it is alsc associated with the visits of 

 insects, a subject which will be spoken of later. 



