THE FLOWER. 55 



find very difficult lines to draw, for they are each composed 

 of two curves, joined, as in Fig. 5 ; all above the line a b be- 

 ing the outer edge of the leaf, but joined so subtly to the side 

 that the least break in drawing the line spoils the form. 



14. Now every flower petal consists essentially of these two 

 parts, variously proportioned and outlined. It expands from 

 C to a b ; and closes in the external line, and for this reason. 



Considering every flower under the type of a cup, the first 

 part of the petal is that in which it expands from the bottom 

 to the rim ; the second part, that in which it terminates itself 

 on reaching the rim. Thus let the three circles, ABC, Fig. 



6., represent the undivided cups of the three great geometrical 

 orders of flowers trefoil, quatrefoil and cinquefoil. 



Draw in the first an equilateral triangle, in the second a 

 square, in the third a pentagon ; draw the dark lines from 

 centres to angles ; (D E F) : then (a) the third part of D ; (6) 

 the fourth part of E, (c) the fifth part of F, are the normal 

 outline forms of the petals of the three families ; the relations 

 between the developing angle and limiting curve being varied 

 according to the depth of cup, and the degree of connection 

 between the petals. Thus a rose folds them over one another, 



