EXAMINATION OF A PLANT. 23 



one piece ; " with four blunt teeth, or divisions, 

 " in its rim." Look at your calyx, and see if it 

 is like this. [PLATE 3.] 



EDWARD. 



It is of one piece, but the divisions are sharp. 



MOTHER. 



Very well. Now look again at your flower. 

 " The blossom of one petal " 



EDWARD. 



It cannot be that ; for mine has four petals. 



MOTHER. 



Pull them out, and let me see. I think you will 

 find, that when you attempt to take one, they will 

 all come off together. 



EDWARD. 

 So they do ; and the stamens with them ! 



MOTHER. 



Then you see that your blossom has but one pe- 

 tal, with four divisions, though at first you thought 

 it had four petals. Blossoms formed of one piece 

 are called Monopet'alous ; those of many pieces, 

 Polypet'alous. In flowers of one petal, the sta- 

 mens are generally fastened to the blossom; but in 

 those with more petals, they are fixed to the recep- 

 c 4 



