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perfect sepals (and, therefore, calyx),* petals (and, therefore, corolla), a large 
number of stamens, together with a pistil. The tiny sepals and petals differ amongst 
themselves in shape, texture, markings, in the presence or absence of hairs ; and as 
these characters often determine the species, it follows that it may he necessary for 
the botanist to examine minutely a plant submitted for his opinion. 
The colour of Wattle blossoms varies from a pure white to a deep yellow, 
different species showing flowers of varying shades of cream colour and pale yellow. 
As a rule, they do not show to advantage as cut flowers, their exquisite fluffiness 
departing as soon as they are removed from the plant. 
Most of us are aware that the fruit of the Wattle is a pod or legume, which 
although varying a good deal in shape in different species, hears a strong family 
likeness to the homely pea or bean. Hence it is that the Wattle belongs to the 
Natural Order Leguminosce .f In some seasons the conditions for forming pods are 
unfavourable over large areas, and hence we may look for them in vain; hut those 
of the ornamental Wattles are well worthy of collection, as these plants are best 
propagated from seed. And here it may be mentioned that the outer coat of the 
Wattle seed is very tough and impervious to moisture, so that it does not germinate 
very readily. Accordingly, before sowing, we soak the seeds in hot, nearly boiling 
water, or partly hake them, an operation which Nature herself often performs by 
means of hush-fires. Wattle-seed may, in dry grass-land, remain in the ground for 
many years; but if a fire passes over the country a crop of young Wattles is 
frequently the result. 
If I were to say that most Wattles have no leaves, my readers would think I 
was not speaking seriously. The feathery foliage of the Black and Silver Wattle, 
finely divided so as to be almost fern-like, consists of true leaves ; hut most of our 
Wattles have “ leaves ” which, structurally, are only leaf-stalks or petioles flattened 
out, forming what are known as “ phyllodia.”:}; 
Many of these phyllodia look like the leaves of other trees, Gum-trees for 
instance, others are long and narrow like a tape, while a number are thin and 
pungent-pointed, like needles. Most are quite green, hut others look as if they 
had been dusted over with flour. In a word, it may he said that the shape, texture, 
markings, and other characteristics of these phyllodia, present almost endless 
diversity of appearance. 
* Calyx. —The outer or lower whorl of a flower. Greek, lcahyx, a cup, in allusion to the usual shape. 
Sepal. —Latin, sepio, I enclose ; an individual leaf of the calyx. 
Corolla. —The whorl within or above the calyx. Usually bright-coloured. Latin, corolla, a little crown (dim. of corona). 
Petal. —Greek, petalon, a leaf. An individual leaf of a corolla. 
Stamen. —An inner whorl of a flower. In some cases the stamens are present in one flower, while the pistil occurs in 
another. Stamens consist of filaments terminated by anthers. 
Pistil. —The innermost whorl of many plants. When mature it is converted into fruit, and contains the seed. Latin, 
pistillum, a pestle, in allusion to its usual shape. 
+ Leyuminosai (Latin, legumen , — inis), all manner of pulse, as peas, beans, &c. 
t Phyllodia, Greek, phu (y) lion, a leaf; oidos, Like. 
