86 



THE FLOWER. 



[lesson 12. 



231. Takinn; them in succession, therefore, beginning from below, 

 or at the outside, we have (Fig. 108, IGi)), first, the calyx or outer 



circle of leaves, which are individually 

 termed sepals (a) ; secondly, the corolla 

 or inner circle of delicate leaves, called 

 petals {h) ; then a set of stamens {c) ; 

 and in the centre one or more pistils {d). 

 The end of the flower-stalk, or the short 

 axis, upon which all these parts stand, is 

 called the Torus or Receptacle. 



232. We use here for illus- 

 tration the flower of a spe- 

 cies of Stonecrop (Sedum ter- 

 natum), — which is a com- 

 mon plant wild in the Middle 

 States, and in gardens almost 

 everywhere, — because, al- 

 though small, it exhibits all i69 



the parts in a perfectly simple and separate state, and so answers for 

 a sort of pattern flower, better than any larger one that is common 

 and well known. 



233. A Stamen consists of two parts, 

 namely, the Filament or stalk (Fig. 170, 

 «), and the Anther {h). The latter is 

 the only essential part. It is a case, 

 (jommonly with two lobes or cells, each 

 opening lengthwise by a slit, at the 

 proper time, and discharging a pow- 

 der or dust-like substance, usually of a yellow color. This powder 

 is the Pollen, or fertilizing matter, to produce which is the sole office 

 of the stamen. 



234. A Pistil is distinguished into three parts ; namely, — beginning 

 from below, — the Ovary, the Style, and the Stir/ma. The Ovary is 

 the hollow case or young j)od (Fig. 171, a), containing rudimentary 

 seeds, called Ovules {d). Fig. 172, representing a pistil like that ol 



FIG. If8. Flower of a Stonecrop : Pedum ternatiiiti. 



FIG. ir9. Two parts orcncli kind of the same flower, displayed and enlarged. 



FIG. 170. A stamen : a, the filament ; b, the anther, discharging pollen. 



FIG. 171. A pistil divided lengthwise, showing the interior of the ovary, a, and Ita 



ovules, d ; b, the $tyle ; c, stigir.a. 



FIG. 172. A pistil, enlarged ; the ovary cut across to show the ovules within. 



FIG. 173. " Double " Rose ; the essential organs all replaced by petals. 



