62 



OBJECT LESSONS IN BOTANY. 



pistils. A complete flower has all the organs, vlz.^ sepals, 



petals, stamens, pistils. A naked flower lacks both the calyx 



and corolla. 



1 1 1 . A symmetrical flow- 

 er has each of these several 

 organs in an equal number 

 or, at least, the same num 

 ber of j)ieces in each circle 

 of organs. For example, 

 the Flax flower is symmet- 

 rical, having sepals Ave, 

 petals five, stamens five, 

 and pistils five. The Lily 

 is also symmetrical, having 

 three sepals, three petals, 



six stamens (in two equal circles), and three pistils (which 



are combined in one). 



190 191 



Fig. 190. A symmetrical, regular flower of 



Iceland Mosd (.S'fc'f^Mm acre)\ it has five sepals, 



five petals, twice five (ten) stamens, and five 



pistils, — all separate and distinct. 

 Fig. 191. House-leek {Sedum sempefvlvum), 



— twel ve-parted. 



LESSON XVII. 



THE PLAN OF THE FLOWER. 



112. It is very instructive and delightful to study the 

 symmetry of flowers in the way mentioned in the last lesson. 

 We are thus led to the discovery of a truth in the science of 

 botany at once beautiful and sublime, — worthy of the wis- 

 dom of the Inflnite Creator. That truth or principle is, that 

 all flowers^ though infinitely various in form and fashion^ 



111. What a symmetrical flower? How is the Lily symmetrical? 



112. Please state the principle learned from studying the symmetry of the 

 flower. 



