62 WAYSIDE WEEDS. 



exists, it is so iasignificant as to be entirely eclipsed 

 by the more brilliant calyx — such we find in the 

 hellebores or Christmas roses of our gardens ; and, 

 lastly, as in the anemones, the corolla may be 

 absent altogether, and its place supplied by a calyx 

 as beautiful as any corolla. In such cases the 

 calyx is called petaloid or flower-Uhe. The crocus 

 and the snowdrop hkewise offer us examples of the 

 petaloid calyx, and in such plants the entire flower, 

 composed of petals and sepals, is frequently called 

 the perianth, Wben the calyx is joined together 

 so as to constitute a one-pieced or monosepalous 

 calyx:, its composition of several conjoined parts is 

 usually indicated by toothings, foldings, or marking, 

 as we shall see in the primrose. Lastly, the calyx 

 is frequently irregular in form ; in this respect 

 generally being coincident with irregularity of form 

 in the corolla it encloses. Did space permit, we 

 might enlarge greatly upon the variety of forms to 

 be found in calyces, but now that our readers can 

 recognize the part for themselves, it is better that 

 they should seek out their knowledge by looking at 

 every plant or weed for that variation — and beautiful 

 variation too — ^which they will not fail to find. 



One last word over our fiower-cups. Xou will 

 not long have examined plants before you meet, 

 every now and then, with a calyx which looks 

 rather like a collection of the ordinary leaves of the 

 plant, -than like an orderly, well-eonducted calyx» 



