62 



OBJECT LESSONS IN BOTANY. 



pistils. A complete flower has all tlie organs, viz.^ sepals, 

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

 and corolla. 



111. A. symmetrical ^ow- 

 cr has each of these several 

 organs in an equal number 

 or, at least, the same num- 

 ber of pieces in each circle 

 of organs. For example, 

 the Flax flower is symmet- 



Fig. 190. A symmetrical, regular flower of rical, having SCpals five, 



petals five, stamens five, 

 and pistils five. The Lily 



Icelmid MoSvS (,Se'(iMm acre)'^ it has five sepals, 

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

 pistils, — all separate and distinct. 



Fig. 191. House-leek {Sedum s€mpe?-vivum), is also Symmetrical, having 



-twelve-parted. ^^^^.^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^ p^^^jg^ 



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

 are combined in one). 



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 Infinite Creator. That truth or principle is, that 

 all flowers^ though infinitely various in form and fashion^ 



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

 113. Please state tlie principle learned from studying the symmetry of the 

 flower. 



