CHAPTER LXIV. 



DICOTYLEDONS CONTINUED. 



Topic VIII: Dicotyledons with distinct petals, hypo- 

 genous and irregular flowers. 



OEDER PABIETALES. 



1179. Lesson XVI. The violet family (Violaceae). This 

 family is represented by the common blue violet, the yellow 

 violet, the pansies, heartsease, sweet violet, etc. 



SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDY OF THE BLUE VIOLET. 



The blue violet (Viola cucuUata). 



The entire plant. Describe the character and habit of the plant, the 

 short underground stem, the "radicle" leaves, the erect flower-scapes 

 which bear the conspicuous blue flowers, and the short, curved stems 

 beneath the soil or debris which bear the closed inconspicuous flowers. 

 Sketch a leaf, showing the form and venation. What is the form of the 

 leaf and the character of the margin? 



The blue flowers. Sketch a flower. Is the flower regular or irregular; 

 complete or incomplete; perfect or imperfect? 



The calyx. Describe the form of the calyx; how many sepals are indi- 

 cated ? 



The corolla. How many petals are present? Remove them and note 

 carefully the form of each one and the position in the flower. In the 

 "spurred" one look for nectar-glands. 



The stamens. Determine the number of the stamens. Are they united 

 together by their anthers ? If so, the stamens are said to be syngenecious. 

 Are the stamens of different sizes ? Describe the form of the different ones 

 and the relation of certain peculiar ones to the spur of the corolla. 



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