CHAPTER II. 



ORGANS AND STRUCTURE OF THE FLOWER. 



TIIE essential organs of a flower are three, viz : the stamens, 

 the pistils, and the receptacle. These are all the parts neces- 

 sary to the perfection of the seed, they therefore constitute a 

 perfect flower: to these, however, is added in most flowers, 

 the perianth, consisting of the calyx and corrolla. 



The STAMENS are slender, thread-like organs within the 

 "flower" or perianth, around the pistils: their most common 

 number is five : but this varies from one to a hundred. Their 

 office is said to be the fertilization of the seed. 



The PISTILS are usually slender, larger than the stamens, 

 and occupy the centre of the flower : " they are destined to 

 bear the seed." They are sometimes numerous, but in many 

 cases there is only a single one. 



The RECEPTACLE is placed at the end of the flower stalk, and 

 constitutes the basis upon which the organs of fructification are 

 usually placed, in such manner as to encircle it. 

 Fig. 3. The CORROLLA is the interior Fi - ' 



i part of the perianth, consisting 

 k of one or more circles of colored 

 leaves of various hues and deli- 

 cate texture, situated upon the 

 receptacle : these leaves are called 

 petals, (Fig. 4, a, a,) and they may be 



