142 ANAGALLIS ARVENSIS. 



all expanded and exposed for atmospheric agency to nourish, 

 strengthen, and ripen them. When closely drawn together, the 

 pollen is carefully preserved from continued heat, wind disturb- 

 ance, waste from rain and insect depredation, and the operation 

 of self-fertilisation is wonderfully secured. In its pyramidal form 

 the corolla folds all its precious treasures securely within its bosom, 

 simply for its own preservation. 



I trust that, in writing this paper, I have shown how much of 

 the beautiful may be discovered in one of the commonest objects 

 by which we are surrounded, and that every one of them may not 

 only afford the pleasures of investigation, but that they may be ser- 

 viceable for the highest teaching. 



" The humblest flower is a poem by Him 

 Who dwells 'midst the blazing cherubim. 



Read it well ; 



It has something to tell. 

 In rhythm of colour, it will confess, 

 God loveth beauty and gentleness." 



EXPLANATION OF PLATES XVII., XYIIL, XIX. 



Plate XVII. 



Fig. 1. — The Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis), natural size. 

 ,, 2. — Ripe Capsule, with fruit, slightly enlarged. 



5) 



3. — Diagrammatic form of blossom, showing the pentagonal shape. 



J) 

 )> 



5) 



Plate XVIII. 



4. — Transverse section of stem, x 40. 



5. — Spiral vessels in stem, x 210. 



6. — Pitted ducts and annular vessels of stem, x 210. 



7. — Portion of leaf drawn from a decolorised and stained speci- 

 men, showing venation and marginal cells, x 15. 



a. — Transverse section of leaf, x GO. 



8. — Upper Cuticle of leaf, x 200. 



,, 9. — Under Cuticle of leaf, x 200- 



