THE PASSION-FLOWER TRIBE. 7^ 



The stems when cut throufjh, shew the Exoo^enous 

 structure ; a circumstance you would have known 

 by aid of the leaves alone, if you had not had the 

 stem to cut. 



The flowers have on the outside three large bracts 

 (Plate V. l.jig. 1. a.), which together form an invo- 

 lucre. Next these is a calyx, composed of five sepals 

 {fig^ 1.6.) which are generally green on the outside, 

 and differently coloured in the inside ; sometimes 

 blue, sometimes pui*ple, now and then yellow or some 

 other colour. Let me particularly call your attention 

 to this, which is a proof that the calyx, in other 

 plants as well as in the Fuchsia, is occasionally co- 

 loured like petals. When you are more of a Botanist 

 you will find that this fact is connected with a curious 

 tale of vegetable transformations, which I may some 

 day relate to you. At the base the sepals are joined 

 together in a shallow cup, from which the petals and 

 other parts arise. 



The petals {jig. 1. c.) are always of the same colour 

 as the inside of the sepals ; but are nearly alike on 

 both sides, are narrower, and are without a singular 

 little horn, which projects from the back of the sepals, 

 just as other horns spring from the corslet of certain 

 beetles. 



Next the petals come — the stamens, you will 

 say: — ^not at all. Next the petals come several 

 rings of beautiful fleshy threads, which spread from 

 the cup like rays, and are splendidly mottled with 

 azure and crimson and white. If there be one part 

 of a plant more beautiful than all others, it is this 



