SPRING FLOWERS 135 



The calyx is short as compared with the corolla. The sepals 

 are united for a short distance at the base, but above this project 

 as pointed green teeth. In the growing flower-bud the corolla 

 in its closed condition projects far beyond the sepals, and shows 

 clearly the twisted arrangement of the petals characteristic of 

 this plant and its relations. When expanded it is seen to be 

 composed of a tubular or funnel-shaped region, and of five lobes, 

 which alternate in position with the sepals and correspond to the 

 free ends of the petals. These lobes are peculiarly shaped, having 

 one edge longer than the other. They diverge almost at right 

 angles to the tubular portion of the corolla, and since they, as well 

 as the tube, are of a bright violet-blue colour, render the flower 

 conspicuous as it projects from the dark glossy foliage. The 

 entrance to the corolla-tube is strengthened by a slight ridge of 

 a paler tint, which gives the opening a pentagonal outline, each 

 side of the pentagon stretching from the middle line of one petal 

 to that of the next. Corresponding to the interspaces between 

 the petals a white streak extends down the inside of the tube, 

 and is indicated on the outside of the latter by a slight groove. 

 The upper portion of the corolla tube is thus fluted (Fig. 68). 



On looking into the tube the more internal organs of the 

 flower are seen blocking the cavity about one-third way down. 

 They form a whitish, ridged dome-shaped mass, which does not 

 itself fill the cavity, but the space between it and the wall of 

 the tube is occupied by downwardly directed white hairs springing 

 from the latter. 



To see the exact relation of the stamens and pistil to one 

 another and to the corolla- tube, a flower must be carefully split 

 in two (Fig. 68), or the corolla split up along one side and flattened 

 out. The stamens will be found to be five in number, and to be 

 attached to the inner surface of the corolla-tube opposite to the 

 intervals between the petals, i.e. on the line of the white streaks 

 mentioned above. The shape of the individual stamens is peculiar. 

 The stalk springs from the inner wall of the tube a short distance 

 below the widened upper end of the style, and slopes upwards 

 and inwards beneath this. The stalk then bends sharply out- 

 wards until it touches the corolla tube, and then, bending inwards 

 again, ends in the anther. Each of these has a wide flattened 



