CH. VI.] THE FLOWER. 209 



or has altx)getlier failed. In double flowers, too, as 

 was observed by the late Sir J. E. Smith, the 

 corolla is much more durable than in single ones of 

 the same species, as anemones and poppies, because, 

 as he conceived, in such double flowers the natural 

 functions not being performed, the vital principle of 

 their corolla is not so soon exhausted. Advantage 

 may be taken of this to prolong the duration of 

 flowers by cutting away the pistils, or stamens, 

 whichever are least conspicuous, with a sharp pair of 

 pointed scissors. 



The transmutation of the stamens into petals is 

 most readily traceable in the water-lily {NymphcEa 

 alba) and the common China rose. Sometimes, as 

 is justly observed by a writer in the Gardeners 

 Chronicle, sometimes a stamen is half changed, and 

 then half an anther is found on one side, while the 

 other is expanded into the thin texture of the petal. 

 Sometimes the anther seems to struggle with the 

 petal for mastery, and resolutely maintains its 

 ground at the point while the filament as resolutely 

 expands, till at last it rises above the anther on 

 each side, as if to smother that w^hich it cannot 

 otherwise destroy. 



Although an abundant supply of nourishment is 

 absolutely necessaiy for the production of double 

 flowers, it is quite as certain that such supply will 

 not, of a certainty, cause their appearance — there. 



p 



