182 LETTER XV. 



at the point, so that the youngest flowers are quite 

 hidden by its folds ; but it gradually uncoils as the 

 flowers expand, till at last it becomes nearly straight. 

 In consequence of this singular arrangement, the 

 flowers are all forced towards one side, and when they 

 are expanded, look as if they actually grew from one 

 side only ; this, however, is not the fact — they are 

 only turned towards one side. I think I have al- 

 ready explained to you that we call the arrangement 

 of the flowers upon their common stalk the injlo- 

 rescence ; and that different adjectives are added to 

 this word to explain its nature. Thus, in Umbellife- 

 rous plants, the inflorescence was umbelled ; in 

 the Borage tribe it is what is called gyrate ; a fine 

 word expressive of being coiled. Now this gyrate 

 inflorescence will of itself enable you to recognise 

 the Borage tribe, and the families most immediately 

 allied to it, without recourse to any thing further. 



The calyx, which is covered with hairs, like the 

 leaves, consist of five sepals joined to each other 

 more than half way, so as to form a tube {fig. 2.). 

 The corolla has its border divided into five lobes, 

 opposite which, at their base, are five hairy convex 

 scales, which converge and close over the mouth of 

 the tube, so as effectually to prevent any intruder 

 from entering it {fi.g. 1.). From the side of the tube 

 of the corolla, below the scales, spring five stamens, 

 which sit close upon its surface, without any visible 

 filament. The ovary is divided into four deep lobes 

 {fig- 3.), from the middle of which rises a taper 

 style, terminating in a double stigma. 



