52 PHENOMENA OF PLANT-LIFE. 



Flowers, then, are reproductive or seed-producing 

 apparatus. They are ordinarily so lovely, so varied, 

 so rich, so alluring, because of the dignity of their 

 office. That in nature which has noble duties as- 

 signed it, is always embellished in a way that befits 

 the noble purpose. Men do just the same when they 

 place a crown of gold and a purple robe upon that one 

 of themselves that they choose for king. To maintain 

 the living flow of beauty of tree and flower upon the 

 earth, is as much grander than simply to grow stout 

 and leafy, as it is for a man to seek to delight and il- 

 luminate those around him, (so far as the munificence 

 of God gives power,) instead of simply seeking his 

 own profit. This is recognized accordingly in the 

 forms of flowers, so exquisitely symmetrical in the 

 delicacy of their tints, and in their lavish profusion, 

 all of which become characteristics of honor and dig- 

 nity to the plant, and mark the period of its highest 

 value in return. Taking the flower to pieces, it is 

 found, when in its most perfectly developed condition, 

 to consist of four distinct sets of parts, every one of 

 which has its own especial province. Look at a rose- 

 bud when just about to open, and it is wholly green. 

 The green portion is the "calyx," or chalice, enclosing 

 everything else, falling back when the contents are 

 ready to burst forth, and remaining usually till the 

 seed is ripe, though sometimes cast to the ground. 

 It is a beautiful sight when the component pieces of 



