18 FRUCTIFICATION, OR FLOWER AND 



stalk is concerned. It also frequently shelters and 

 protects the more delicate internal parts ; is either 

 general or partial ; permanent or deciduous ; sim- 

 ple or double ; of one leaf or of several ; undivided, 

 cloven, or manycleft. There are 7 kinds of Calyx, 

 i. Ptrianthium, Perianth, or Calyx commonly so 

 called, the most general, is that which is con- 

 tiguous to, or actually makes a part of, the Flower, 

 but is not always present. This is sometimes 

 double. It differs in situation with regard to the 

 Germen (59), being either superior or inferior to 

 that organ ; sometimes intermediate, or surround- 

 ing it about the middle. Its forms are extremely 

 various, of one leaf or of several ; regular or ir- 

 regular ; simple, or with an external, generally 

 smaller, calyx, Calycnlus ; or other appendages, 

 as in Pulten&a. It is either round, or angular; 

 compressed, tumid, or inflated ; leafy, coriaceous, 

 or membranous; someti rnes finally pulpy ; smooth, 

 hairy, or prickly. In Compound Flowers gene- 

 rally composed of imbricated scales, which close 

 over the Seeds. 



y. Ini'olucrum, an Involucrum, is remote from the 

 rest of the Flower, partaking of the nature of a 

 Bractea (47 : 2), and chiefly noticed in the cha- 

 racters of proper Umbelliferous Plants (48:7). 

 This part is either general, or partial ; the latter 

 being denominated Involucdlum. The Involu- 

 cntm of Ferns is membranous, covering the 



