Blossoming 



177 



For among the trees we find flowers of two 

 sorts: " imperfect " and " perfect." 



Let us speak of the " perfect " flowers first. 

 Some lawn and forest trees bear blossoms as com- 

 plete and charming as any lily or pansy which the 

 garden can show. 



Fig. 44. Cherry blossoms. A, A flower cluster; E, A 

 flower blossom cut vertically; C, One-half of the ripe 

 cherry. 



The tulip tree, locust, and catalpa all bear per- 

 fect flowers; so do the "Pride of China," the 

 linden or lime tree, and the mountain ash. 



Fruit blossoms, too, are perfect — that is to 

 say, they have all the parts which belong to a com- 

 plete flower (Fig. 44). 



In the very center of a cherry blossom there is 

 a slender upright column, colored a delicate green. 



This is the pistil. 



