3 
THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF CALYXES. 
' SYNTH I SIS. 
HAVING formed a general idea of a flower, viz. L 
Calyx, II. Corolla, HI. Nectary, IV. Stamina, 
V. PisTiLLA, VL Pericarp, and VII. Seeds, we will 
now consider each of these parts, in a more particular ^ 
manner, for 
The term Calyx, like our words, horse, bird, dog, 
habitation, is a generic word, including several distinct 
species, thus: 
I. Perianth {Perianthium), is the outer expanded 
covering of a flower,-— the most common kind of 
Calyx," — usually green, — sometimes coloured,^ con- 
tiguous to the corolla,— protecting the organs for 
reproduction in their infant state, sometimes cadu- 
cous,^ — often abiding with the fruit,"^ — and some- 
times even serving the office of pericarp,* — usually 
single, — occasionally double,/ — not unfi'equQntly 
very obscure,^ — or wholly deficient.'' 
" Of the 1021 genera of plants, known in the time of Dr. Alston, 
Professor of Botany at Edinburgh, he observes, 673 had a Perianth; 
75, an Involucre; 72, a Spatha ; 29, a Glume ; 18, anAMENT; 
3, aCALYPTRA; 2, a Volva ; and 110, no Calyx of any kind. 
^ Coloured) as in the Passion Flower, Indian Heed, &c. 
c Caducous) falling off, as in the Poppy, which very quickly loses 
its two Calyx leaves. 
^ Abiding) as in the Egg Plant, where it increases to a large size. 
^ Serving the Office of Pericarp) the ofhce of seed-vessel, as in the 
Nettle. 
f Double) as in ^he Mallozo. 
s Obscure) as in the Rose-bay, Rhododendron« 
^ Dejicient) absent, as in thei Lilies » 
