STUDY OF ANOMALOUS FLOWERS. 23 



stamons, and pistils each being five in number, regularly alter- 

 nating and perfectly separate. 



Reriew.SS. Whence the difficulties in the study of flowers ? 59. A grand character- 

 istic in Nature. First step in the study of the flowers. 60. Define the typical flower. 

 Why is it complete ? Why regular ': Why symmetrical ? How alternating ? How dis- 

 tinct? fil. Is the type often realized? Whence the endless variety ? Faults in Pink, 

 Strawberry, Lily. 62. One fault of Flax of Sedum. 63. One perfect example. 



CHAPTER III. 



STUDY OF ANOMALOUS FLOWERS. 



64. Now 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 dis- 

 guises 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, Irregular- 

 ities of development. 



65. The radical number of the flower is that which enu- 

 merates the parts composing each whorl. Here nature seems 

 most inclined to the number Jive, as in Crassula, Flax, Rose, 

 and Strawberry. It varies, however, from one to twelve, and 

 is expressed by word or sign as follows : di-merous, or 2-parted 

 (s/), tri-merous or 3-parted (y / ), penta-merous or 5-parted 



etc. The flow- 

 ers of Hippuris 

 (12 ) are 1- 

 parted, having 

 but one stamen 

 and one pistil. 

 Those of Cir- ^ a J4 



\ / 12, Flower of Hippuris, one-parted. 13, Flower of Circaea Lutetiana, 



2-parted, haV- W, FlowerofXyris, $'. 



ing 2 sepals, 2 petals, 2 stamens, etc. Those of Xyris (14) are 

 <y, having all the parts in 3s. Xyris is one of the Endogens. 



