FLOKAL SYMMETRY, ETC. 



121 



represent a perfect flower? Does it represent a 

 complete flower? a regular flower? a symmetrical 

 flower? Fig. 264 is a cross-section of this flower, 

 given to illustrate the relation of the parts to each 

 other. Observe that the petals alternate with the 

 sepals ; that is, they stand opposite to the openings, 

 between the sepals. In the same way the stamens 



FIG. 264. 



FIG. 265. 



FIG. 266. 



FIG. 26T. 



alternate with the petals, and the carpels with the 

 stamens. This regular alternation of parts is spoken 

 of as a symmetrical arrangement of the flower. Fig. 

 267 is the cross-section of Fig. 265, and Fig. 266 gives 

 a vertical section of the same flower. Are its parts 

 arranged symmetrically? that is, is the alternation 

 perfect ? 



