Flowering and its Results. 117 



called a Thyrse, as in the lilac, horse-chestnut, bunch of 

 grapes, &c. 



In vol. i., page 15, of this work, we spoke of the Nectary, its 

 various forms and uses. Fig. 16, AA, is the Horned Nectaria 

 in the Aconitum ; BB, two peduncles that support them. Fig. 

 22. A Nectarium that crowns the corolla shown in the* cup of 

 a Narcissus. Fig. 24. .A calcynine nectarium shown in the 

 flower of a Tropocolium ; A, the nectarium. Fig. 25 shows 

 one of singular construction, shown in the flower of the Parnas- 

 sea. A fine heart-shaped Nectaria, terminated by threads, each 

 of which is crowned with a little ball. Some suppose the nectar 

 is for the nourishment of the stamens and pistils. 



It is said that no less than one-twelfth the vegetable kingdom 

 is constituted by those flowers which grow in heads, formerly 

 called compound, which last name is now applied to the family 

 of Syngenesia. An immense host of little tiny perfect flowers, 

 requiring the microscope for a fair view, is crowded together in 

 these heads. Fig. 7 shows a paleaceous receptacle of a com- 

 pound flower, shown in Rudbeckia. AA, the Paleae or chaff 

 which shoots up from beneath each floret, parting it also from 

 all the others on the disk. B, the tubulose florets of the disk, 

 so called from its shape (tube-like). In fig. 20, it is separated^ 

 so as to be more fully examined. C is the ligulate (strap-like) 

 corolla of the radius ; D, one of these fallen off. The sun- 

 flower is perhaps as good an example a3 any of this kind. 



As we have sufficiently observed the different modes in which 

 the flower makes its appearance, and observed it in all its vari- 

 ous stages, let us again examine nature, and discover what she 

 designs to accomplish after making such great show. When 

 the proper time elapses, the anther box becomes filled with a 

 rich store of carefully prepared Pollen. Every one is ac- 

 quainted with its general yellow, flowery appearance ; though 

 not confined to this color, as it is sometimes white, red, blue, 

 &c. We have just placed some under a compound micro- 

 scope ; it has lost its dusty appearance, each atom resolves itself 

 into an egg-shaped body, from which proceeds a little string ; 

 this form is always the same in every species, differing in a deter- 

 minate manner in separate families. Pouring a little water upon 

 it, it swells, and the true shape becomes perceptible ; the water 

 is rapidly absorbed until it bursts and discharges from it an 



