MOKE MAKKIAGE CUSTOMS. 



131 



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a very similar leaf is seen to enclose a whole 

 bunch of buds and opening flowers. Only, in 

 the narcissus the spathe is thin, whitish, and 

 papery, while in the cuckoo-pint it is expanded, 

 green, and |)urple. Though not a corolla, it 

 serves the same purpoce as a corolla generally 

 performs : it attracts insects 

 to the compound flower-head. 

 Inside the spathe we find 

 a curious club-shaped mass, 

 coloured bright purple, and 

 standing straight up in the 

 middle of the head. This is 

 the stem or axis on which the 

 separate little flowers are 

 arranged. Cut open the spathe, 

 and you will find tl lese flowers 

 below in the centre (Fig. 26). 

 At first sight what you see 

 will look like a lot of confused 

 little knobs; but when you 

 gaze closer you will see they 

 separate themselves into three 

 groups, which are the true 

 flowers. Lowest of all on the 

 stem come the female blossoms, 

 without calyx or corolla, each 

 consisting of a single ovary. 

 Above these in a group come the male flowers, 

 equally devoid of calyx or corolla, and each con- 

 sisting of a single stamen. Above these again 

 come abortive or misshapen flowers, each of 

 which has been reduced to a single downward- 

 pointing hair. I will explain first what is the 



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