222 



THE FLOWKU. 



blossom The stamens and pistils are the characteristic organs of 

 the flower ; but sometimes one or the other of these disappear from 

 ,3^ a particular flower, and both are absent from 



full double Roses, Camellias, &c., in which we 

 have only a regular rosette of delicate leaves. 

 This, however, is an unnatural state, the conse- 

 quence of protracted cultivation. 



41 6. The flower consists of the organs of re- 

 production of a Pha3nogamous plant (114), and 

 their envelopes. A complete flower consists of 

 the essential organs of reproduction (viz. stamens 

 and pistils), surrounded by two sets of leaves 

 or envelopes which protect them. The latter 

 ai'e of course exterior or lower than the former, 

 which in the bud they enclose. 



^^=^ 417. The Floral Envelopes, then, are of two 



™ sorts, and occupy two circles, one above or 



within the other. Those of the lower circle, the exterior envelope 

 in the flower-bud, form the Calyx : they commonly exhibit the 

 green color and have much the appear- 

 ance of ordinary leaves. Those of the 

 inner circle, which are commonly of a 

 more delicate texture and brighter color, 

 and form the most showy part of the 

 blossom, compose the Corolla. The 

 several parts or leaves of the corolla are 

 called Petals : and the leaves of the 

 calyx take the corresponding name of Sepals. One of the five 

 sepals of the flower represented in Fig. 334 is separately shown in 

 •Fig. 336 ; and one of the petals in Fig. 337. The calyx and corolla, 

 taken together, or the whole floral envelopes, whatever they may con- 

 sist of, are sometimes called the Perianth (Perianthium or Peri- 

 gonium). 



418. The Essential Organs of the flower are likewise of two kinds, 

 and occupy two cii'cles or rows, one within the other. The first of 



FIG. 334. The complete flower of a Crassula. 335. Diagram of ita cross-section in tbe bud, 

 showing the relative position of jta parts. The five pieces of the exterior circle are sections of 

 the sepals ; the next, of the petals ; the third, of the stamens through their anthers ; the in- 

 nermost, of the five pistils. 



FIG. 336. A sepal ; 337, a petal ; 338, a stamen ; and 339, a pistil from the flower repre- 

 eented in Fig. 334. 



