60 



PROSERPINA. 



shows its separate nature by pausing, or at least greatly lin- 

 gering, in its growth, and modifying itself very slightly, while 

 the corolla is forming itself through active change. Look at 

 the two, for instance, 

 through the youth of 

 a pease blos'som, Fig. 

 8. 



The entire cluster 

 at first appears pen- 

 3^) dent in this manner, FIG. 8. 



the stalk bending round on purpose to put it 

 into that position. On which all the 

 little buds, thinking themselves ill- 

 treated, determine not to submit to 

 anything of the sort, turn their points 

 upward persistently, and determine 

 that at any cost of trouble they will 

 get nearer the sun. Then they begin 

 to open, and let out their corollas. I 

 give the process of one only (Fig. 9).* 

 It chances to be engraved the reverse 

 way from the bud ; but that is of no 

 consequence. 



At first, you see the long lower point 

 of the calyx thought that it was going 

 to be the head of the family, and curls 

 upwards eagerly. Then the little 

 corolla steals out ; and soon does away 

 with that impression on the mind of 

 the calyx. The corolla soars up with 

 widening wings, the abashed calyx re- 

 treats beneath ; and finally the great 

 upper leaf of corolla not pleased at 

 having its back still turned to the light, 

 and its face down throws itself entirely back, to look at the 

 8ky, and nothing else ; and your blossom is complete. 



Keeping, therefore, the ideas of calyx and corolla entirely 

 * Figs. 8 and 9 are both drawn and engraved by Mr. Burgess. 



FIG. 9. 



