yellow, is of consequence from a scientific point of view. 

 Size and habit seldom indicate a different relationship; 

 and colour of flowers, however interesting to a gardener, is 

 of little consequence in botany. These factors may change 

 rapidly in response to a change in surrounding condition ; 

 they may be classed as characters of secondary import- 

 ance, or may even be considered accidental. 



If we examine a Buttercup flower we find the perianth 

 is very plainly made up of two circles; that is, there is a 

 distinct calyx and corolla, which do not, as in some plants, 

 pass gradually into one another. Though the members of 

 each circle are usually five, they are not as constant in 

 this as we generally find in flowers; six or more may often 

 be found. 



The calyx is green and the sepals are all free from each 

 other, and of very much the same consistency as the 

 ordinary leaves. The work of this organ is very evidently 

 to protect the bud from drying, or from the entrance of 

 water while the delicate inner parts are being formed. It 

 is very common in Buttercups for the sepals to fall off soon 

 after the flower opens. The corolla is made up of free 

 petals, which usually agree in number with the sepals. 

 They are of delicate texture, and are commonly larger 

 and broader, but in some species they may be narrow and 

 small The petals arise from the thalamus close above 

 the sepals. This is a point that should be noted, as a 

 departure from this is an important feature in the devel- 

 opment of more complex flowers. They are inserted into, 

 or, in other words, arise from, the thalamus by a point or 

 very slender attachment, and it should be observed that 

 they alternate with the sepals; that is, each petal occupies 

 the space between two sepals. This is the common, but 

 not invariable, rule in the placing of the members of each 

 floral circle. 



The stamens are numerous, free from one another, and 

 inserted close above the corolla. The anthers are closely 

 blended with the filaments, and consist at maturity of 

 two sacks which split longitudinally to allow the pollen 

 to escape. The stamens of a flower are collectively called 

 the androecium, but we will dispense with the use of this 

 word, as we can do without it. The pistil is made up of 

 numerous carpels, which grow upon a conical enlargement 

 of the thalamus. Each carpel is free from its fellows. 

 and consists of a small chamber called the ovary, the top 

 of which is extended into a short, relatively thick and 

 generally bent, style. Towards the end of the style, on its 



