AGRICULTURE AND PLANTING. 



On the Structure oj regctablex. 



I. The Ca(y.r, empaleinent or flower-cup, is the termination of the cortex 

 or outer-bark of the plant, which, after accompanying the trunk through all its 

 branches, breaks out in the flower, and is present in the fructification in this new 

 form. Its cliief use is to enclose and protect the other parts of the flower. It re- 

 ceives different appellations according to the circumstances with which it is 

 attended. 



II. The Coro//a, foliation, or leaves of the flower, is the termination of the ' 

 liber or inner-bark, continued to and accompanying the fructification in this new 

 form of painted leaves. Its use is the same as that of the calyx, serving as an in- 

 ner work of defence, for the parts it encloses ; as the calyx, which is usually of a 

 Stronger texture, does for an outer one. The leaves of which the corolla consists,, 

 are called petals. The corolla receives different names according to the number, 

 form, &c, of the petals. 



III. The Stamina, threads or chives, are the male part of the flower, design- 

 ed for the preparation of the pollen, and is the termination of the alburnum. 

 Each single stamen consists of three parts, 



1. The Filament, or thread, which serves to elevate the antliera or summit, 

 and at the same time connects it with the flower. These vessels prepare a fluid, 

 and convert it into the farina or pollen; which is then propelled through very 

 minute ducts into the anthera. 



2. The Anthera, or summit, situated on the top of the filament, which 

 contains within it the pollen, and when come to maturity discharges the same, 

 for the pui-pose of fertilizing by the act of impregnation, the tender and conceal- 

 ed seed. Hence at the age of puberty, the foUoM-ing phenomena take place. The 

 anther^e, when mature, on a sudden break, and explode their pollen into the whole 

 ambit of the flower. Wax is another secretion produced with the fecundating dust 

 on the anthers of flowers, which in wet seasons it preserves from rain, to which it 

 is impenetrable; for the farina, or fecundating dust of plants, is liable to swell if 

 exposed to much moisture, and to burst its shell ; and it either tlien becomes inert 



