THE INFLORESCENCE AND FLOWER. 45 



If you have the botanical charts, look at the magnified 

 flowers represented on them, and point out the symmetri- 

 cal ones. Find also examples of complete and incomplete 

 flowers. 



The stamens and pistil of flowers have been called 

 essential organs, because seeds can not be formed without 

 their presence. As the calyx and corolla cover and nour- 

 ish these, they have taken the name of protecting organs. 



When the protecting organs are both present in a flower, 

 it is said to be dichlamyd' eous. 



When there is only a calyx, it is monochlamyd' eous. 



If both calyx and corolla are absent, it is achlamyd' eous, 

 or naked. A perfect flower (Fig. 148) has both the essen- 

 tial organs ; while, if one of these be absent, it is imperfect 

 (Figs. 149, 150) ; and, if both are wanting, it is said to be 



FIG. 148. FIG. 149. FIG. 150. 



A Perfect Flower. Imperfect Flowers. 



neutral. A staminate flower has no pistil. A pistillate flower 

 has no stamens. Staminate flowers (Fig. 149) are said to 

 be sterile, because they do not produce seed. They are 

 also spoken of as male flowers. Pistillate flowers are said 

 to be fertile, because they may bear seed. They are also 

 called female flowers (Fig. 150). 



A perfect flower is indicated thus, . 



A staminate, sterile, or male flower, thus, $ . 



A pistillate, fertile, or female flower, thus, $ . 



