+
divided into equal halves in any plane it is said to be axymetrical, as in a few plants which belong to the Pink family.
+
The part of the flower at the top of which it stands is called the anterior part; while the portion which faces the axis of the inflorescence is the posterior part.
+
The plane which passes through the flower in such a way as to divide it into anterior and posterior parts is said to be median.
+
Again, the plane which passes through the middle of the inflorescence is said to be the median plane.
+
Expt. 160.--Take an Exsertum, or Gorse, or Laburnum and examine it.
+
(i) The large petal which revolves round the standard is posterior, but the axis of the inflorescence is anterior, which slightly adheres, and are called the anterior, because they face towards the bracts.
+
(ii) The two petals, one on each side of the standard, are called lateral; i.e., they are lateral, i.e., they are on either side of the standard.
+
(iv) The flower is irregular, or irregularly, because its petals do not revolve round the standard.
+
There is only one plane along which a median plane can divide it into equal halves. This plane passes through the center of the standard and from one side to another.
+
Expt. 167.--If the flower of the Apple or Blackberry can be ob-
+
tained, examine it with a pair of scissors and cut off five sepals and five petals.
+
Can it be divided into equal halves in any plane, therefore it is regular?
+
Shape of Flower.--There are a number of terms which are used in describing the shape of the flower. It is said to be--
+
Conic-shaped, whose petals straighten like the form of a cross, as in the Willow-rose and Cabbage (Fig. 183).
+
+
+xiv TERMS USED IN DESCRIBING THE FLOWER 18i
+
+2. **Papilionaceous**, when butterfly-shaped as in the Pea and Goose (Fig. 180).
+
+3. **Spurred**, when a spur is formed either from the corolla or calyx. This spur may be used for storing up honey. Examples—Crocus, and the Tuberose (Fig. 181).
+
+4. **Tubular**, when a tube is formed as in the florets of the Thistle. (Fig. 185).
+
+
+
+ Insect-Pollinated Plants. |
+ Wind-Pollinated Plants. |
+
+
+ 1. The pollen is carried in a definite direction, i.e., from flower to flower. |
+ 1. The pollen is carried in all directions, and the green bulk of the plant is exposed to the wind. |
+
+
+ 2. Less pollen is produced, for it contains certain of these plants. |
+ 2. Large quantities of pollen are produced, because they reach the stigmas of a flower. |
+
+
+ 3. The pollen is pre- tected from rain, dew, and marauding insects. |
+ 3. The pollen is used in producing pollen. |
+
+
+ 4. Less material is used in producing pollen. |
+ 4. A greater number of seeds are produced with the minute quantity of material used in producing pollen. |
+
+
+
+Self-Pollinated Plants.--By self-pollination is meant where the pollen of a flower A pollinates the stigma of the same flower A. There is a number of plants which produce flowers that are self-fertile, i.e., those which do not need to be secured, and seem in these flowers to give good results. The self- pollinated plant is more likely to be pollinated than any other, because it has no need to travel far to find another flower for the purpose of bringing about fertilisation. This is due to the slight movement to bring it on to the stigma. Either the wind or insects may produce self-pollination, by distributing the pollen from the anthers to the stigma. Several flowers, which are near each other, may be pollinated at once, but this does not usually happen until the pollen-laden anthers are reached and self-pollination takes place. The Poor-man's Weatherglass produces flowers which may be cross-pollinated during the first three days after opening; but not pollinated during this interval, the flowers
+
+
+
+ XIX THE CLASSIFICATION OF PLANTS |
+
+
+ 245 |
+
+
+ Sub-Class . . . . Incomplete. |
+
+
+ Natural Order. Distinguishing Characteristics. |
+
+
+ (a) Cupulifera - . . . |
+ (i) Male flowers in catkins. |
+ (ii) Female flowers sessile in an involucre of bracts. |
+
+
+ |
+
+
+ Sub-Kindred PHANEROCAMPS. ANGIOSPERMS. |
+
+
+ Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
+
+
+ Corylus - Potentilla - Aesculus - Petasites. |
+
+
+ Natural Order. Distinguishing Characteristics. |
+
+
+ (a) Liliaceae - |
+ (i) Perennial either gamophytes or polyphytes; |
+ (ii) Ovary superior; ovules axile placentaion. |
+
+
+ |
+
+
+ (b) Amaryllidaceae - |
+
+
+ (i) Perennial generally with a corona (p. 281). |
+
+
+ (ii) Ovary inferior. |
+
+
+
+**Meaning of a Natural Order.**—A natural order is built up of genera which have a common origin and certain characters. The genus in its turn includes several plants resembling each other in one or more respects. The narrowest systematic arrangement is that of the genus to the species, but this is closely related that they must have descended from a common ancestor.
+
+**Naming of Plants.—Each plant receives two scientific names; the first indicates the genus, the second the species. Thus, for instance, the Termentil, Potentilla termentilis, and the side-wood, Potentilla anserina, are two species of the genus Potentilla.
+
+The following scheme indicates how each plant is arranged in its true position in the natural system of classification :
+
+