Ttiti J5KU1T. Oi 



expands into a broad saucer-like flower containing the ag- 

 gregate flowers and seeds of that well-known plant. This 

 form of the receptacle is called common, indicating its 

 office to numerous flowers and florets. 



134. In tlie Indian corn it is a pillar or center column, 

 upon which the staminate flowers and afterward the 

 ripened grains are arranged. It is familiarly known to you 

 as the cob. This sort of receptacle is called columella. 



135. In the nelumbium we have the receptacle extraor- 

 dinarily developed, and filled with cavities in which the 

 seeds are lodged. 



136. In some plants the receptacle is hairy, as the thistle, 

 or chaflfy, as in the helichrysum (everlasting). Sometimes 

 it is convex, sometimes conical, concave, spherical, etc. 



CHAPTER VI. 

 The Fruit, 



Section^ I. — Pericarp. 



137. In" the description of the pistil you were told that 

 the ovary became the pericarp, and that all the innumera- 

 ble forms of fruits, berries, nuts, etc., were the results of 

 the changes that this organ undergoes in arriving at 

 maturity. The pericarp always incloses the seed. It may 

 be dry and thin, as the mustard ; or thick and fleshy, as the 

 pumpkin ; soft and juicy, as the tomato ; or hard and flinty, 

 as the ivory plant. 



1 34. Describe the columella. Where do you find this ? 



135. What of the receptacle of the nelumbium or water-lily ? 



136. Mention some of the appearances of the receptacle. 



1 3 T. A matured germ consists of how many parts ? Examples of the dry, thin, 

 and fleshy ? 



3* 



