114 Flowering and its Results. 



the number. Fig. 3d shows the first kind of corolla ; fig. 4lh 

 the second. The floral envelopes, taken together, are called the 

 Perianth, see B in fig. 3. 



The staminate system of a flower is called the Andrjecium, 

 the pistillate system the Gyn.kcium. In fig. 1st we have the 

 flower with the corolla, Andra>cium and Gynaccium. A, The 

 petals of the corolla ; b, the germen or ovary ; c, the style ; d, the 

 stigma ; e, the filaments ; f, the anthera. The pistillum and sta- 

 mina separate in fig. 2 ; b, the germen ; c, the style ; d, the stig- 

 ma ; cc, the filaments, with the antheroe bursting and discharg- 

 ing the pollen. 



The Receptacle is that termination of the flower-stalk upon 

 which are inserted, or rather grow out of, all the parts of the 

 flower. It should be understood that only the stamens and 

 pistils are essential to the flower; all other parts may be dispensed 

 with, without, as far as we know, in any way injuring the seed. 

 All the different organs arise from the receptacle in successive 

 series, one within or above the other ; where the point of inser- 

 tion is easily observed, the calyx, corolla and stamens are said 

 to be hypogynous, that is, below the pistil. When the petals and 

 stamens are inserted upon the calyx, they are said to be peri- 

 gynous, around the pistil. When all the surrounding parts are 

 consolidated with the ovary, and seem to grow from its summit, 

 they are said to be epigynous upon the pistil. These explana- 

 tions are, in part, necessary to understand fully the synopsis we 

 have given of the Natural System. 



A Spatha is a sheathing calyx, opening lengthwise, on one 

 side, and consisting of one or more valves ; generally proceed- 

 ing from it, is an elongated receptacle of flowers, called a spa- 

 dix. The common Arum affords an instance of this, known to 

 every one ; there is a beautiful specimen of the kind now in 

 bloom in possession of our friend Mrs. Watson. Phillips re- 

 marks, that its alabaster white calyx, expanding into so elegant a 

 vase-like shape, seems a fitting present from Flora to the hand 

 of Hebe, when she presents the imperial nectar to Jupiter. Its 

 appearance in a group of plants reminds us of a beautiful antique 

 lamp for burning incense, which allusion the flame-colored spa- 

 dix, arising out of the centre of the white calyx, considerably in- 

 creases. Fig. 5 shows a Narcissus issuing from its spatha. A, 

 the flower ; B, the spatha. 



