OF THE FLOWER GENERALLY. 19 
the flower botanical, consists of a number of different 
parts which are arranged in a certain order. First, 
there is a flower-cup, or Calyx: this may consist as in 
the Geranium and Buttercup of five leaf-like parts 
called Sepals: or, as in the Mallow they may be 
united half way up their sides and assume a more cup- 
like form: while, as in the Pink and Sweet William, 
the calyx may have its parts united almost to the end, 
and so form a complete tube. All these are different 
forms of calyx peculiar to these different flowers ; but 
the chief thing to be remembered is, that the calyx is 
almost always green, and is the outermost of all the 
parts of the flower. Secondly, there exists in many 
flowers a coloured part or blossom, called the Corolla, 
which consists of five (or more or less according to the 
plant) portions called petals, forming another cup- 
shaped part within the calyx. Thirdly, within the 
corolla another portion of the flower is to be seen, 
which, generally speaking, is very numerous in its parts; 
this consists of the Stamens, which may vary in 
number from one to a hundred. Each stamen usually 
consists of a thread-like part below, which is white or 
coloured, and is called the filament; and of a box or 
case of an oval shape at the upper part; this case 
bursts and discharges a fine powder, usually of a yellow 
colour, called pollen The Stamens in the Mallow, have 
their filaments united so as to form a tube below, while 
they are free or separate above. Fourthly, there is 
another part in the flower which occupies the centre, 
and is called the Pistil; which may vary as much 
in its character as any other part of the flower. In 
