CHARACTERISTICS OF BOTANICAL FAMILIES 



portations from tropical countries. The Family is repre- 

 sented with us by several of our dearest wild flowers. Their 

 structure is complicated, but can be understood by studying 

 some of the larger members of the Family. It is especially 

 designed to secure insect pollination. The perianth is com- 

 posed, usually, of six divisions, the three outer sepals often 

 colored, not green. Of the three inner, the petals, one is 

 larger than the others, and is called the lip. This is variable 

 in shape, perhaps prolonged into a deep spur at its base, 

 perhaps being a sac or pocket (as in the moccasin flower), 

 perhaps fringed, always a conspicuous part of the flower. 

 This is the platform — the front door, so to speak — for the in- 

 sect to stand upon while pushing its head into the interior 

 as it seeks the coveted nectar. Cypripediums have two 

 good stamens, with the rudiment of a third. All other genera 

 have but one fertile stamen, which is called the column, joined 

 in a peculiar manner to the style. These organs are, to the 

 uninitiated, quite unlike those of all other flowers. The pollen 

 grains in the single anther are collected into masses called 

 pollinia, and, if an insect enters such a flower and rubs its 

 head against the ripe anther, the entire contents of the anther 

 are pulled out, the insect flying away with the pollinia ad- 

 hering to its proboscis in what would seem to be an uncom- 

 fortable manner. Entering another flower, the little creat- 

 ure is relieved of its superfluous burden, leaving the pollinia 

 upon the rough or sticky stigma. 



There are 7,000 species of orchids known, and for grace, 

 beauty of form and color, they stand unrivalled in the flower 

 kingdom. 



Crowfoot Family. — This large Family includes some 

 acrid-narcotic poisonous species. Buttercups cut and mixed 

 with grass often produce a sore mouth in cattle which eat 

 them. The calyx is sometimes colored like the corolla, and 

 often the latter is wholly wanting. There are many stamens 

 and pistils. Often a head of pistils may be observed, each 

 one producing a single seed. Some species are aquatic, and 

 the leaves under water are finely cut. All the leaves, indee. 1 . 

 may be much divided, as in buttercups, and the flowers may 

 be single or panicled. Besides crowfoots and spearworts, 

 this Family includes anemones, hepaticas, the clematis, 

 marsh marigold, larkspur, and columbine. 



7 



