32 LETTER XXVIII. 



back petals, and look at its inside {fig. 4.) ; we shall 

 then find that it is a light blue, downy plate, divided 

 at the point into two parcels of fringe {fig. 4. c. & c. c), 

 within which there is a little hood {fig. 4. b. h.), having 

 the most delicate little whiskers in the world at its 

 base. What are the two bundles of fringe, and the 

 little hood ? they must be something similar in nature 

 to what is found in other flowers, although strangely 

 disguised. Botanists say that the hood is the point 

 of the middle petal of three, and that it has the two 

 side petals with their fringes firmly attached to its 

 back, so that the crest is in reality made up of three 

 petals naturally soldered together, and these, together 

 with the two other petals at the back, make up the 

 number five of which we have been in search. 



But where are the stamens of this curious plant ? 

 Not at the base of the ovary {fig. 7.)> i^or attached to 

 the calyx, nor any where within sight. Lift up or 

 press back the hood we have been talking of, and 

 there vou will find them. There are two rows of little 

 vellow cases hidden beneath this hood (fig. 4. b.), four 

 cases in each row, and adhering to a thin membra- 

 nous plate {fig. 5. a.) ; the latter is the united fila- 

 ments, and the cases are the anthers. Why they thus 

 lie perdu beneath the hood in the inside of the crest 

 vou will perceive presently ; in the mean while observe 

 that each anther not only opens by a pore at the point, 

 ( fig. 6.) but is one-celled. The ovary {fig. 7-) is an 

 oblono- bodv, containing two cells, in each of which is 

 one pendulous ovule {fig. 8.) ; it is furnished with a 

 club-shaped style, and a thick two-lipped stigma, the 



