28 STRUCTURAL BOTANY. [23. 



CHAPTER III. 



STUDY OF ANOMALOUS FLOWERS. 



64. The true method of studying the flower is 



by comparing it with this type. So shall we be 

 able, and ever delighted, to learn the nature of each 

 organ in all its disguises of form, and to discern the 

 features of the general plan even under its widest 

 deviations. The more important of them are included 

 under the following heads, which will be considered in 

 order : 1 , Variations of the radical number of the 

 flower; 2, Deficiencies; 3, Redundancies; 4, Union of 

 parts ; 5, Irregularities of development. 



65. The radical number of the flower is that which 

 enumerates the parts composing each whorl. Here 

 nature seems most inclined to the number five, as in 

 Grassula, Flax, Rose, and Strawberry. It varies, how- 

 ever, from one to twelve, and is expressed by word or 

 sign as follows*: di-merous, or 2 -parted (/y/), tri-merous 



13 



12, Flower of Hippuris, one-parted. 13, Flower of Circaea Lutetiana, fr 14, Flower of Xyris, 



or 3-parted (^/), penta-merous or 5-parted (^/), etc. 

 The flowers of Hippuris (12) are 1-parted, having but 

 one stamen and one pistil. Those of Circaea (13) are 

 2 -parted, having 2 sepals, 2 petals, 2 stamens, etc. 



