184 



COMPOUND ORGANS OP PLANTS. 



Pig. 82. 



equally developed, but that it is remarkably unsymmetrical, for 

 only two of the four circles have the same number of members, 

 and one of them, viz., the staminate circle is in an abnormal 

 position ; for instead of alternating with the petals, we find the 

 stamens in this flower placed directly opposite the petals. 

 The diagram shows a calyx with two sepals, but as the normal 

 construction of the flower is evidently pentamerous, three of 

 the sepals have been suppressed, and the two which have been 

 developed, have evidently obtained possession of the place 

 which the three by their absence had left void. Within the 

 calycine verticil, are five equally developed petals alternating 

 with the sepals of the calyx, and which are therefore regular 

 and normal in their growth. Within and opposite the petals- 

 we find five stamens. The number of the stamens is normal, 

 but not their position. Here is an evident departure from 

 that law of alternation which usually manifests itself in the 

 relative position of the pieces of the floral verticils, when they 

 follow each other directly in the flower. 



