n8 WONDERS OF PLANT LIFE 



number of external appendages to which has 

 been given the name of bracts. 



It has been stated that the calyx of the flower 

 is in some cases green, whilst in other instances 

 it is coloured and petal-like. To state that the 

 sepal is green is the same thing as saying that 

 the organs to an extent perform the functions of 

 a leaf, and it is interesting to see whether it is 

 possible to trace any further connection between 

 the calyx and the foliage of the plant. The 

 herbaceous Peon}^ is well worth an examination 

 with this problem in mind. If a number of 

 specimens of this flower be examined, it will be 

 found that quite often the sepals of the calyx 

 are modified leaves. Indeed, time and again it 

 is impossible to determine definitely the exact 

 nature of the organs, and the confusion is all 

 the greater when, as is often the case, a large 

 area of the leaf-like sepal is as gaily coloured as 

 a petal. 



In the common Moon Daisy of the meadows 

 we may trace the whole course of the evolution 

 of the green bracts which encircle the mass of 

 ray florets. If one of the long-stemmed blossoms 

 be examined, it will be found that, starting from 

 the base, where there are the typical leaves of 

 the plant, we shall find that there is a steady 



