THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 395 



the exterior of the bud is sheathed with thin dry scales, 

 covered with resin to protect the organ against moisture. 



As an extreme precaution some flowers are covered 

 with an envelope, or spathe, which only falls at the time 

 of opening. In small-sized monocotyledons, such as the 

 iris and garlic, this envelope is very thin, membranous, 

 and transparent: whilst in some great species like the 

 palms, this supplementary cradle of the young flowers 

 acquires colossal proportions; it is thick, woody, and re- 

 sembles a large cup one to two metres (yards) long, and 

 this allows the negresses sometimes to make use of it as a 

 bath for their children. 



