b'2 OBJECT LESSONS IN BOTANY. 



pistils. A complete flower has all the organs, viz., sepals, 

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

 and corolla. 



111. A symmetrical flow- 

 er 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- 



Flg. 190. A symmetrical, regular flower of rical, having fiepals five, 



IcdandMo* (&*); it has five sepals, t fc fi gt ame ns five, 



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



pistils, all separate and distinct. and pistils five. The Lily 



Fig. 191. House-leek (&rf/ sempervivum), is also symmetrical, having 



-twelve-parted. ^.^ ^^ t]n . ee ^^ 



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

 are aombined 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 fas] don, 



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



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

 flower. 



