THE FLOWER 



289 



THE FLOWER 



Use of the flower. However much the flowers 

 serve to beautify the world and increase man's enjoy- 

 ment, that is not their chief use. The fruit of the plant 

 bears the seed, and the flower produces the fruit. That 

 is the chief duty of the flower. Every plant that pro- 

 duces seed has flowers. 



Structure of the flower. Let us see what a flower 

 is. Take for example a buttercup, cherry blossom, or 

 the violet. You will find on the outside a row of green 

 leaves enclosing the flower when it is still a bud. These 



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FIG. 88. A STAMEN A PISTIL VERTICAL SECTION OF TOMATO BLOSSOM 



leaves are called sepals. Next on the inside is a row of 

 colored leaves, or petals. Arranged inside of the petals 

 are some threadlike parts, each with a knob on the end. 

 These are the stamens. Examine one stamen closely. 

 On the tip of its knob you should find, if the flower is 

 fully opened, some fine grains of powder. This sub- 



