\. 
% 
CHAPTER XV. 
The Study of Typical Flowers.! 
(Only one of the three flowers described to be studied by aid of these 
directions. ) 
172. The Flower of the Trillium. — Cut off the flower stalk rather 
close to the flower ; stand the latter, face down, on the table, and draw 
the parts then shown. Label the three green leaflike parts sepals, and 
the three white parts which alternate with these petals. Turn the flower 
face up, and make another sketch, labeling the parts as before, together 
with the yellow enlarged extremities or anthers of the six stamens. 
Note the way in which the petals alternate with the sepals; i.e., each 
petal springs from a point just above the space between two sepals. 
Observe the arrangement of the edges of the petals toward the base — 
one petal with both edges outside the other two, one with both edges 
inside, the third with one edge in and one out. 
Note the veining of both sepals and petals, more distinct in the former.? 
1The buttercup and the trillium are suggested because they are early spring 
flowers, of which some species may be found in most of the states east of the Missis- 
sippi. They are tolerably large flowers, simple in their plan, differ much in the number 
and shape of the floral organs, and are respectively somewhat typical of large groups. 
Other flowers should be studied in much detail when the class is completing Chapter 
XIX. The description of the flower of the trillium, as found in this chapter, is true 
in details only of the white variety of T. erectum, but the account given would serve 
as a guide for the study of any of our species. The buttercup flower here described 
is that of Ranunculus bulbosus, but the description will hold good in the main for 
any of the larger-flowered species. The tulip is perhaps the simplest polypetalous 
and regular flower which can be had of florists as early as May 1, and therefore in 
ample time to serve as an introduction (for city pupils) to the study of floral struc- 
tures. If the expense of procuring tulips enough for class study should make it 
impossible to use them, the teacher could easily make out a set of directions for the 
study of some such flower as the (slightly irregular) pelargoniums. 
Sedum acre can very easily be supplied in quantity, if arrangements are made 
with florists to have it ready. 
2JIn flowers with delicate white petals the distribution of the fibro-vascular 
bundles in these can usually be readily shown by standing the freshly-cut end of the 
peduncle in red ink for a short time, until colored veins begin to appear in the petals. 
The experiment succeeds readily with apple, cherry, or plum blossoms ; with white 
gilliflower the coloration is very prompt. Lily of the valley is perhaps as interesting 
a flower as any on which to try the experiment, since the well-defined stained stripes 
are separated by portions quite free from stain, and the pistils are also colored. 
