PLAN OF THE FLOWER. 21 



cium (pistils) occupies the centre; the androecium encircles it; 

 the corolla is next without , and the calyx embraces the whole. 



Review. 49. Agency of the Flower. 50. Members. What are the Floral envelopes? 

 Which is the calyx ? The corolla? 51. The calyx defined. The sepals. 52. The corolla 

 defined. Petals. 53. What of the perianth? 51. The essential organs. 55. The sta- 

 mens. Another name. 56. The pistils. Their collective name. 57. The torus. Order 

 of the whole. 



CHAPTER II. 



PLAN OF THE FLOWER. 



58. Such, in general, is the organization of the flower. It is 

 simple enough in theory ; and in most of the plants with which 

 he meets, the student will easily recognize these several organs 

 by name. But, in truth, flowers vary in form and fashion to a 

 degree almost infinite. Each organ is subject to transformations, 

 disguises, and even to entire extinction ; so that the real nature 

 of the flower may become an intricate and perplexing study. 



59. But we shall soon see that in all these variations there is 

 method. They are never capricious or accidental, however much 

 they may appear so. Unity in diversity is characteristic of Na- 

 ture in all her departments, and eminently so in the flowers ; 

 and the fiist step in the successful study of them is to discover 

 that unity that simple idea of the floral structure in which all 

 its diversities harmonize. Before flowers were created, that idea 

 or type was conceived ; and to possess it ourselves is a near ap- 

 proach to communion with the Infinite Author of Natui-e. 



60. The typical flower, one that exemplifies the full idea 

 of the floral structure, consists of four different circles of organs, 



7 O i 



as before described, placed circle within circle on the torus, and 

 all having a common centre. Such a flower must possess these 

 five attributes viz. : It must be 



a, Complete ; having the four kinds or sets of organs arranged 

 in as many concentric circles. That it is perfect, having both 

 kinds of the essential organs, is viecessarily included under its 

 completeness. 



J, Regular ; having the organs ol the same name all similar 



