46 PROSERPINA. 



as a violet is ; only its upper two petals are not reverted 

 the calyx, of a dark soppy green, holding them down, 

 with its three front sepals set exactly like a strong tri- 

 dent, its two backward sepals clasping the spur. There 



kindness enough to ascertain debateable things for me, I mean in 

 future to do so, using the letter A to signify Arnicas, generally; 

 with acknowledgment by name, when it is permitted, of especial 

 help or correction. Note first of this kind: I find here on this word, 

 ' five-petaled,' as applied to Pinguicula, " Qy. two-lipped? it is mono- 

 petalous, and mouosepalous, the calyx and corolla being each all in 

 one piece." 



Yes ; and I am glad to have the observation inserted. But my 

 term, ' five petaled,' must stand. For the question with me is always 

 first, not how the petals are connected, but how many they are. 

 Also I have accepted the term petal but never the word lip as ap- 

 plied to flowers. The generic term ' Labiatae ' is cancelled in ' Pro- 

 serpina,' ' Vestal es' being substituted; and these flowers, when Iconic 

 to examine them, arc to be described, not as divided into two lips, 

 but into hood, apron, and side-pockets. Farther, the depth to which 

 either calyx or corolla is divided, and the firmness with which the 

 petals are attached to the torus, may, indeed, often be an important 

 part of the plant's description, but ought not to be elements in its 

 definition. Three petaled and three-sepal ed, four-petaled and four- 

 sepaled, five-petaled and five-sepal ed, etc., etc., are essential with 

 me, primal elements of definition ; next, whether resolute or stellar 

 in their connection; next, whether round or pointed, etc. Fancy, 

 for instance, the fatality to a rose of pointing its petals, and to a lily, 

 of rounding them! But how deep cut, or how hard holding, is 

 quite a minor question. 



Farther, that all plants are petaled and sepaled, and never mere 

 cups in saucers, is a great fact, not to be dwelt on in a note. 



