II.] 



LOTUS. 



vj 



and they would be of no use, as these flowers have no 

 stamens. 



The Leguminosse, or Pea-tribe, present a number 

 of beautiful contrivances. Let us take a common 

 little Lotus corniculatus (Fig. 23). The petals are five 

 in number ; the upper one stands upright, and is known 

 as the standard (Fig. 24, std) ; the two lateral ones 

 present a slight resemblance to wings (Figs. 24, 25, w) 



Fig. 23. — Lotus cotniculaiits. 



while the two lower ones are united along their edges, 

 so as to form a sort of boat, whence they are known 

 as the "keel" (Figs. 25, 26 k). The stamens, with 

 one exception, are united at their bases, thus forming 

 a tube (Figs. 27, 28 t), surrounding the pistil, which 

 projects beyond them into a triangular space at the 

 end of the keel. Into this space the pollen is shed 



