THE FLORIST. 263 



its brightness, and becomes flat-coloured from the deadness of its 

 surface. The form of the Pelargonium has the advantage again in 

 variety, which gives greater effect to its colours. 



3. A corresponding difference is observable also at the limb or 

 outer extremity. Owing partly to its flat centre and partly to its 

 flimsy substance, the edge of the Pansy must be flat likewise. In fact, 

 it never curves inwards but when withering, or outwards but from 

 inability to support its own weight. The stouter texture of the 

 Pelargonium admits of its being slightly either inflected or reflected, 

 and thus another source of graceful variety is obtained, the one 

 making an approach in form to the reversed ogee, or Hogarth's 

 line of beauty, the other to that of the rim of a Tuscan vase. And 

 Meleager is, as might be expected, an instance in this too of the 

 loss sustained by a flower which gives up one of its properties, for 

 it is as level as a Pansy. And therefore, notwithstanding its very 

 high colour and beautiful tint, it is not brilliant. Nor, high as was 

 its price last October, do I suppose we shall hear much more of 

 it. There is much value in the varying surface of the Pelargonium, 

 another proof of which will be referred to presently under another 

 head ; and therefore, from its greater richness in variety of outline, 

 as well as for some other advantages, it is completely removed 

 from fear of rivalry on the part of its humbler but not less pretty 

 sister, the Pansy. 



Variety may also be produced by number, when the units com- 

 posing it are alike, as in spotted, striped, or double flowers. Thus 

 a spotted Calceolaria or a striped Marigold is not destitute of variety, 

 by reason of the many changes of individual object the eye has to 

 take in. The same may be said of a double Rose or Dahlia. Not 

 that this is the only object attained by multiplying the petals, because 

 the general outline commonly undergoes thereby a complete altera- 

 tion, and properties that were prominent before become subordinate or 

 altogether obliterated, and others take their place. From this it 

 happens that some flowers, as the Tulip, are handsomer when single, 

 others when double, as the Rose. Nor is it always easy to predict 

 which of the two is the more desirable form, until actual comparison 

 has decided between them. A few general remarks, however, are 

 applicable. 



1. To bear the double condition with advantage the petals must 

 be symmetrical, or such as that, a line being drawn lengthwise through 

 the centre, the parts on each side of this line shall be alike. For if 

 otherwise, the entire petal will have a peculiar and distinctive shape, 

 in which some, and perhaps the chief, properties of the flower are 

 contained ; and these will be hidden and lost in the double form. 

 The lower petals of the Pelargonium are symmetrical ; but the upper 

 petals are not, and in these the leading characters are found. And 

 therefore a double Pelargonium would be no advantage. The double 

 condition would reduce all at an equal distance from the centre to an 

 equal value, or else would make a one-sided flower. It so happens 

 that direct experiment has in a manner shewn this to be correct, for 

 this year I had a blossom of Aurora with four upper and six under 



