THE FLO WEB. 



39 



45. The Flower. — If a leafy shoot be reduced in 

 leugth, the leaves will be brought close together ; if the 

 internodes (portions 

 of the stem between 

 the joints) are want- 

 ing entirely, the 

 leaves will be in 

 whorls, or form a ro- 

 sette. If now these 

 leaves undergo cer- 84 

 taiu changes in form and function, a Flower will be 

 formed. This change or modification of one part or organ 

 into another, is called metamorphosis (Gr. meta, beyond • 

 morpha, form) ; the flower is a metamorphosed branch, and 

 the different organs are modified leaves (Fig. 84). Proofs 

 of this are found in the partial or complete reversion of 

 floral organs back into ordinary leaves ; indeed, numerous 

 intermediate forms may readily be found which form a 

 gradual transition from a foliage leaf to the most highly 

 differentiated organ of the flower. 



46. The axis and leaves, belonging to or near the flower- 

 cluster, undergo modifications to form 

 peduncles and pedicels, and bracts 

 and bractlets. The stem, or stalk, which 



'"■f" TIT supports a flower-cluster, or a single 



—Peit flower, is called the peduncle (Fig. 85, 

 -pofn pdn). If the peduncle is wanting, that 

 S5 is, if the flower is inserted directly on 



the stem, it (the flower) is said to be sessile. When 

 the peduncle arises from the ground, it is called a scape. 



Fig. 84. Transformation of petals into stamens. Fig. 85. Flowers supported by 

 pedicels iped)^ which are branches of the peduncle {pdii} : dr, bracts ; drt, 

 bractlets. 



