4 SPRING FLOWERS. 



bulbous stem or base to the leaves and flower- stalks : this is 

 frequent among Monocotyledons, but not characteristic. Then 

 the leaves are ribbed with veins all running side by side 

 lengthwise, a peculiar feature by which the group may in all 

 ordinary cases be recognized. Next the flowers consist of six 

 divisions, which is a nearly certain mark of a Monocotyledon. 

 There is no separate calyx and corolla in the Snowdrop as in 

 the Primrose, but the two will be found blended together, all 

 the parts having become corolla-like. When thus combined, 

 the calyx and corolla form what is called a perianth ; three of 

 the segments, which will be found to be exterior, represent the 

 calyx, and are hence called sepaline divisions, and three are 

 interior, representing the petals, and are hence called petaline 

 divisions. These features the straight- veined leaves, and the 

 parts of the flowers arranged in threes or multiples of three 

 are generally distinctive of the large arid important class of 

 MONOCOTYLEDONS, also called ENDOGENS, from the internal 

 manner of accretion in their stems. 



The Crocus,* too, is one of Spring's earliest harbingers, 

 starting up almost as if by magic from the scarce- thawed 

 earth, and making it resplendent with the richest colours al- 

 most before the snow has vanished from the surface. The 

 Spring Crocuses, though blooming at so early a period, present 

 little other difference compared with those kinds which bloom 

 in autumn. This favourite flower is a well-known representa- 

 tive in gardens of the Tridaceous family, and is so far natura- 

 lized in meadows and pastures in some parts of England, as to 

 claim admission amongst our field plants, though perhaps not 

 a true aborigine. It has a kind of solid bulb called a corm, 

 and produces grassy leaves. Its large funnel- or vase-shaped 

 six-lobed flowers, expanding in the sunshine, purple in those 



* Crocus vernus Plate 6 A. 



