152 
THE PRINCIPLES OF BOTANY. 
find that it curves downwards. On removing its calyx of 
two sepals, we see the other parts of the flower as compactly 
folded in the interior as are the paper caps and odd patterns 
in the interiors of our Christmas crackers. 
If we look for another flower a little more advanced we 
shall find that as the calyx begins to open, the flower stem 
begins to assume an upright position, the attainment of 
which, and the completion of the functions of the reproductive 
organs, are simultaneous, and these being completed, lo and 
behold! the calyx drops off. If we seek to know why, we 
shall soon see that such a sturdy, well-protected seed box as 
a poppy head cannot require the calyx as a supporting cup. 
Here, then, the calyx is fugaceous: but if we look at another 
example, such as may be found in the apple, we shall be able 
to make out the curious fact that here the whole fruit is but a 
thickened and enlarged calyx—a fact, indeed, which, when 
the student has thoroughly mastered, he will know more of 
botany than will the mere reciter of the whole catalogue of 
the ^ British Flora.’ 
2. The Corolla, or crown, is usually the most conspicuous 
part of a flower, though in this matter there is an infinitude 
of variations; thus it is highly conspicuous in the poppies, 
and, as before remarked, many coloured in the fuschia, whilst 
it is either not present, or scarcely noticeable, in some of the 
largest of our forest trees. It may be considered as the second 
whorl of floral leaves, of which the calvx is the first esta- 
blished on a shortened axis, which is called the torus. 
Like the calyx, the corolla may consist of few or many 
parts or leaves; thus there are four to the poppy, five to the 
wild rose. In the bell-flower convolvulus, periwinkle, prim¬ 
rose, &c., we may look upon the parts as still consisting of 
five leaves, cemented at their sides. As regards the descrip¬ 
tion of these parts of plants, they follow the same rule as 
already pointed out for leaves and calyx; and thus different 
forms, parts, and colours may readily be distinguished. The 
function of the corolla is not always so plain to make out, but 
we may take it for granted that among these will be that of 
swaddling clothes for the delicate sexes within, a power of 
attracting and disseminating some of the properties of light 
in order to the perfection of these, and further of attracting 
insects by whose agency fecundation is often made to take 
place; and as assisting the latter we may mention the deli¬ 
cate perfumes and sweet nectareous essences so frequently 
distilled from the corolla. 
3. The Stamens — stamina :—again consist of a whorl of 
