292 



HOW CROPS GROW. 



st 



and many common plants. Fig. 60 represents the com- 

 plete flower of the Fuchsia, or ladies' ear-drop, now uni- 

 versally cultivated. In fig. 61 the same is shown in 

 section. 



The CalyX) (cup,) ex, is the outermost floral envelope. 

 Its color is red or white in the Fuchsia, though generally 

 it is green. When it consists of several distinct leaves, 

 they arc called 

 sepals. The calyx 

 is frequently small 

 and inconspicuous. 

 In some cases it 

 falls away as the 

 flower opens. In 

 the Fuchsia it firm- 

 ly adheres at its 

 base to the seed- 

 vessel, and is divid- 

 ed into four lobes. 



The Corolla, 



(crown,) Cj or c, 

 is one or several 

 series of leaves 

 which are situated 



st 



Fig. eo. 



within the calyx. 



Fig. 61. 



It is usually of some other than a green color, (in the Fuchsia, 

 purple, etc.,) often has marked peculiarities of form and 

 great delicacy of structure, and thus chiefly gives beauty 

 to the flower. When the corolla is divided into separate 

 leaves, these are termed petals. The Fuchsia has four 

 petals, which are attached to the calyx-tube. 



The Stamens, s, in fig's 60 and 61, are generally slender, 

 thread-like organs, terminated by an oblong sack, the an- 

 ther, which, when the flower attains its full growth, dis- 

 charges a fine yellow or brown dust, the so-called pollen. 



