4? 



THE COROLLA. 



of the Tilia, Lavendula, Melampyrum, and others. They 

 may be distinguished by this certain rule, that a calyx always 

 withers when the fruit is ripe, if not before ; but the bractea 

 will remain longer. Without attending to this, mistakes might 

 easily be made in Helleborus, Nigella, Passiflora, Hepati- 

 ca, Peganum, and others, in which the calyx is wanting. The 

 distinction between a calyx and corolla in doubtful cases will be 

 treated of in the next chapter. In many flowers the calyx is de- 

 ciduous, dropping off the instant the flower begins to expand ; 

 this is the case with Epimedium and Papaver. 



CHAP. III. 



OF THE COROLLA. 



THE Corolla is said by Linnaeus " to be the termination of 

 the liber, or inner bark, continued to, and accompanying the fruc- 

 tification in this new form of painted leaves." 



Its use is the same as that of the calyx, serving as an inner 

 work of defence, for the parts it encloses, as the calyx, which is 

 usually of stronger texture, does for an outer one. 



The leaves of which the corolla consists are called petals; by , 

 which appellation they are conveniently distinguished from the 

 green leaves of the plant, with which they might else be con- 



jiere spoken of. They are commonly situated on the flower-stalks, and sometimes s» 

 near to the flower, as to be mistaken for its calyx.. Author. 



