NECTARIES. 83 



as distinct from the petals, and called by him the 

 Nectaries. In the snowdrop, these three inner 

 parts of the flower, whether we call them nectaries 

 or petals, form the distinguishing character of the 

 genus, which is named Galan'thus. 



EDWARD. 



But when we were examining the wallflower, 

 you said that the nectaries were little green 

 bodies, surrounding the lower part of the sta- 

 mens. 



MOTHER. 



Yes; but I also told you, that nectaries had very 

 different forms in different flowers. The use of 

 the nectary is very doubtful ; but it has been sup- 

 posed to be intended to contain the honey, which 

 some plants produce. In monopetalous flowers, 

 the tube of the blossom itself answers this purpose; 

 but in flowers with several petals, and open calyxes, 

 which have no tube for the honey, there is in ge- 

 neral a distinct part which holds it. 



In some genera, the nectary is a sort of horn 

 or spur, at the back of the flower, as you will see 

 very distinctly in the Larkspur and Columbine. 

 There is a genus in the fifth class, called Par- 

 nas'sia, in which the nectaries are very curious ; 

 and in the species Palus'tris, which grows wild 

 in England, they are particularly beautiful. 

 There are five in every flower, placed alternately 

 G 2 



