WAYSIDE WEEDS. 63 



This is especially remarkable among the roses and 

 the primrose tribe, and it is, in fact, an eifort of 

 the calyx to metamorphose itself back to its original 

 leaf'-type. This is a subject of plant lore, however, 

 which, only hinted at now, may engage your atten- 

 -tion at some future time. 



COEOLLA. 



Calyx first, next within comes the corolla, 

 .tegular or irregular in form,, in many pieces or 

 petals, as we have. met with hitherto, or in one 

 piece as we shall come upon it ere longi Now, 

 before we take the flower in its fuU expanse of 

 beauty, let us give short attention to it whilst yet 

 in its baby state, cradled within- its calyx. Take 

 any common flowers or weeds you know, or, for 

 that matter, that you may not know by name; 

 open their buds — ^tear them open if you will, but 

 •also cut them iu various directions with a sharp 

 knife ; see how beautifully packed withiu are these 

 petals, which, next day, or hour even, are to open in 

 all their expanded pride, without a crease or fold 

 upon- them.. These poppy petals 'that we spoke of 

 a little above, look really and truly crumpled up, 

 and yet in the expanded blossom not a trape 

 remains of such usage-. This bud-packing is known, 

 botauically, as the cestivation of flowers, and the 

 term is applicable to calyx as well as corolla, for 

 the calyx, you will find, has its set forms of b^d- 



