The Purple Crocus 



extent parallel, or nearly so, and to 

 some extent divergent. Now, viewing 

 the petal in profile, but so that the 

 dark midline may be distinctly seen, we 

 shall find that this line marks and em- 

 phasises the whole length of the double 

 curve from top to bottom of the corolla. 

 Below, the others join it, and, partly 

 by the repetition of line and partly by 

 their darkness, lend additional emphasis 

 and power to the lower curve. But we 

 have already said that these lines are 

 to some extent divergent, radiating in a 

 direction away from the base of the 

 petal. Partly from this circumstance, 

 and partly from the shape of the figure 

 they form, they guide the eye like a 

 dart to the central line where it runs 

 down into the stalk. And thus we are 

 furnished with a system of leading lines, 

 enabling us, on looking at the flower, 

 to see at a glance the curve of every 

 petal and its relation to the others, and, 

 besides, giving unity to the whole by 

 guiding the eye to the meeting - point 

 in the stalk. The effect of lines at 

 once parallel and divergent is gained by 

 this most beautiful arrangement. 



These lines act in just the same way 

 if we look at the petal from the back. 

 29 



