CHAPTER XV. 



-^ The Study of Typical Flowers.* 



(Only one of the three flowers described to be studied by aid of these 

 directions.) '' 



1 72. The Mower of the Trillium.. — Cut off the flower stalk rather 

 close to the flower ; stand the latter, face down, on the table, and draw 

 the parts then shown. Label the three green leaflike parts s&pals, and 

 the three white parts which alternate with these petals. Turn the flower 

 face up, and make another sketch, labeling the parts as before, together 

 with the yellow enlarged extremities or anthers of the six stamens. » 



Note the way in which the petals alternate with the sepals ; i.e., each 

 petal springs from a point just above the space between two sepals. 

 Observe the arrangement of the edges of the petals toward the base— r 

 one petal with both edges outside the other two, one with both edges 

 inside, the third with one edge in and one out. 



Note the veining of both sepals and petals, more distinct in the former.? 



1 The buttercup and the trillium are suggested because they are early spring 

 flowers, of which some species may be found in most of the states east of the Missis- 

 sippi. They are tolerably large flowers, simple in their plan, differ much in the number 

 and shape of the floral organs, and are respectively somewhat typical of large groups. 

 Other flowers should be studied in much detail when the class is completing Chaptdr 

 XIX. The description of the flower of the trillium, as found in this chapter, is true 

 In details only of the white variety of T. erectum, but the account given would serve 

 as a guide for the study of any of our species. The buttercup flower here described 

 is that of Eanwnculus Imlbosus, but the description will hold good in the maiin for 

 any of the larger-flowered species. The tulip is perhaps the simplest polypetalous 

 and regular flower which can be had of florists as early as May 1, and therefore ih 

 ample time to serve as an introduction (for city pupils) to the study of floral struct 

 tures. If the expense of procuring tiilips enough for class study should make ii 

 impossible to use them, the teacher could easily make out a set of directions for the 

 s(;jidy of some such flower as the (slightly irregular) pelargonmms. 



Sedum acre can very easily be supplied in quantity, if arrangements are madd 

 with florists to have it ready. 



2 In flowers with delicate white petals the distribution of the fibro-vasculat 

 bundles in these can usually be readily shown by standing the freshly-cut end of the 

 peduncle in red ink for a short time, until colored veins begin to appear in the petals. 

 The experiment succeeds readily with apple, cherry, or plum blossoms ; with whit6 

 gilliflower the coloration is very prompt. Lily of the valley is perhaps as interesting 

 a flower as any on which to try the experiment, since the well-defined stained stripes 

 are separated by portions quite free from stain, and the pistils are also colored. 



