42 OBJECT LESSONS IN BOTANY. 



and the fragrance of the flower are all worthy of its Infinite 

 Creator, and remind us of his wisdom and goodness. 



64. As to the structure of the flower, it is always com- 

 pound, being composed of several or many pieces nicely 

 adapted to each other. In this Lily, for example, you may 

 count thirteen pieces, or organs, attached in a close order to 

 the summit of the flower-stalk (Fig. 113, a). You may call 

 the flower-stalk the peduncle, and the point of attachment (r) 

 the torus, or receptacle. The former is the better name. 



65. Two circles of leaf-like organs form the envelopes of 

 this flower, and each circle consists of three pieces. The 

 outer circle is the calyx, and the three pieces which compose 

 it are called sepals (s, s, s). The inner circle is the corolla, 

 and the three pieces which compose it are called petals 

 (p,p,p). In the Lily and some other flowers the calyx is 

 colored like the corolla.. But it is not so generally. In the 

 Rose, Strawberry, Pink, and in this Trillium (Fig. 108), the 

 calyx is green, while the .corolla is almost always distin- 

 guished by some brighter color. 



66. Now, taking both calyx and corolla together as a 

 whole, we call them the perianth (a Greek word, meaning 

 around the flower}. This name is very convenient when we 

 speak of such flowers as this, where the calyx and coroll-a are 

 not much different. 



63. What is the subject of to-day's lesson ? What do you notice as to the 

 color of the flower ? 



64. What is said of the compound nature of the flower? Of how many 

 pieces is the flower of the Lily composed? What is the peduncle? What 

 is the torus ? 



65. Will you point out and define the calyx? sepals? Will you point 

 nut and define the corolla ? petals ? What of the colors of these organs ? 



66. What is the use of the word perianth ? Will you point out and define 

 the stamens? What of their number ? What is the pistil V How many? 



