201 
j GARDENING AS A SCIENCE. 
VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY.— No. IX. 
The inflorescence , or the development of the organs of fructification, now claims 
ur consideration. It is the end, the consummation of all the vital functions, the 
esult of that great natural law which ordains the reproduction of vital germs, so 
rganised as to become the representatives of their parent. In this comprehensive 
iew of fructification, we include all the theoretic principles which can be adopted 
•pith safety ; for it is plain that, if there be any truth in analogy, all beings 
ndowed with life have periods of infancy, youth, and maturity ; and that the 
eproductive powers are to be referred to the last of these periods. We therefore 
isclaim, in toto, the modern theory of Morpheology, (that is, Science of Form), 
lasmuch as it in no way elucidates the phenomena of fructification. 
A flower is a part, perfect in itself, the offspring of an adult or mature plant, 
nd composed of members, exactly adapted to the processes "which they are 
rdained to perform. Without interfering with the province of the structural 
otanist, it will not be irrelevant to notice all the parts which are essential to 
lflorescence, and to allude, in passing, to the notions which have been entertained 
f their origin and offices, A complete flower consists of an empalement, or 
sternal covering of some sort, usually called calyx. This is composed of several 
ortions more or less divided, termed sepals , which in most subjects are green, and 
miewhat similar to leaves ; but, in others, variously coloured. Within, or above 
le calyx, is the corolla , or proper flower-bloom. Many flowers have not both 
ilyx and corolla, and in that case modern physiologists consider the single 
westing member a calyx , and call it so. The term corolla is only admitted, 
lerefore, when the coloured member is more or less enclosed by a true, exterior 
ilyx. The corolla is composed of petals or flower-leaves, various in figure, 
>gular or irregular, distinct, or more or less cohering. The corolla is sometimes 
irnished, as in the Crown Imperial, ( Fritillaria Imperialist, with certain w r e ti- 
ffined secreting organs. Yet this is not indispensably required ; for, although 
'ants secrete a sweet (not always salubrious ) fluid which bears the name of 
3ctar, yet the secretion may be effected by unseen, glandular processes. Nectar 
an exudation of a peculiar combination of oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon, 
hich might chemically be styled basal honey , since it requires only to be re- 
borated within the animal organism of the bee to become true honey. 
Within the calyx and corolla are seated upon the floral receptacle — now called 
ie torus , — those essential organs of fructification, the stamens and pistillum ; the 
tter, under whatever term it is found in botanical treatises, is the origin of the 
nit or seed-vessel. It comprises an ovary, a style, and a stigma. It is thus 
ncifully described by a writer who advocates the singular modern hypothesis, 
iat every organ of a plant is derived from the budding of leaves. 
VOL. XI.-— no. cxxix. 
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