316 



HOW CROPS GROW. 



The Flower is a short branch, bearing a collection of 

 organs, which, though usually having little resemblance 

 to foliage, may be considered as leaves, more or less mod- 

 ified in form, color, and office. 



The flower commonly presents four different sets of 

 organs, viz., Calyx, Corolla, Stamens, and Pistils, and is 

 then said to be complete, as in case of the apple, potato, 

 and many common plants. Fig. 60 represents the com- 

 plete flower of the Fuchsia, or ladies' ear-drop, now uni- 

 versally cultivated. In Fig. 61 the same is shown in 

 section. 



The Calyx (cup) ex, is the outermost floral envelope. 

 Its color is red or white in the Fuchsia, though generally 

 it is green. When it consists of several distinct leaves, 



they are called 



sepals. The calyx 



is frequently small 



and inconspicu- 

 ous. In some 



cases it falls away 



as the flower 



opens. In the 



Fuchsia it firmly 



adheres at its base 



i to the seed-vessel, 



vand is divided into 



1 four lobes. 



The Corolla 



(crown), c, or ca, 



is one or several 



series of leaves 



which are situated 

 within the calyx. It is usually of some other than a 

 green color (in the Fuchsia, purple, etc.), often has 

 marked peculiarities of form and great delicacy of struc- 

 ture, and thus chiefly gives beauty to the flower. When 



st 



Fig. 60. 



Fig. 61. 



