THE STUDY OF TYPICAL FLOWERS 145 



Observe that there is a set of outer flower-leaves and a set of inner 

 ones.^ Label the outer set sepals and the inner set petals. In most 

 flowers the parts of the outer set are greenish, and those of the inner 

 set of some other color. It is often convenient to use the name 

 perianth, meaning around the flower, for the two sets taken together. 

 jSTote the white waxy bloom on the outer surface of the outer seg- 

 ments of the perianth. What is the use of this? Note the manner 

 in which the inner segments of the perianth arise from the top of the 

 peduncle and their relation to the points of attachment of the outer 

 segments. In a flower not too widely opened, note the relative posi- 

 tion of the inner segments of the perianth, — how many wholly out- 

 side the other two, how many wholly inside, how many with one edge 

 in and one edge out. 



Remove one of the sepals by cutting it off close to its attachment 

 to the peduncle, and examine the veining by holding it up in a strong 

 light and looking through it. Make a sketch to show the general 

 outline and the shape of the tip. 



Examine a petal in the same way and sketch it. 



Cut off the remaining portions of the perianth, leaving about a 

 quarter of an inch at the base of each segment. Sketch the up- 

 right, triangular, pillar-like object in the center and label it pistil ; 

 sketch the organs which spring from around its base and label these 

 stamens. 



Note the fact that each stamen arises from a point just above and 

 within the base of a segment of the perianth. Each stamen consists 

 of a somewhat conical or awl-shaped portion below, the Jilament, sur- 

 mounted by an ovate linear portion, the anther. Sketch one of the 

 stamens about twice natural size and label it x 2. Is the attach- 

 ment of the anther to the filament such as to admit of any nodding 

 or twisting movement of the former ? In a young flower, note the 

 two tubular pouches or anther-cells of which the anther is composed, 

 and the slits by which these open. Observe the dark-colored pollen 

 which escapes from the anther-cells and adheres to paper or to the 

 fingers. Examine a newly opened anther with the microscope, using 

 the two-inch objective, and sketch it. 



Cut away all the stamens and note the two portions of the pistil, 

 a triangular prism, the ovary, three roughened scroll-like objects at 

 1 Best seen in a flower which is just opening. 



