MODELLING THE FLOWERING RUSH 353 



at its summit three bracts or leaf-like processes surrounding an 

 umbel of pinkish flowers and buds, each on a long stem, or 

 rather pedicel. Each flower has six rosy petals, which are, 

 however, called collectively the perianth, arranged in two whorls 

 or sets of three each, those of the outer whorl being smaller, 

 darker, and more pointed ; these surround nine flattened white 

 or pinkish stamens — pink as the flower opens, whitish after- 

 wards, — each surmounted with a fine red anther, which changes 

 to golden when fully expanded. The centre is of six fleshy 

 segments or carpels — i.e. seed-vessels, — much more rosy than 

 any other part of the flower, and, as the flower develops, the 

 styles {i.e. the upper portion of the carpels) become whitish at 

 their tips. 



To model this flower, be provided with thin " Mintorn art 

 fabric," white and of fine quality, white sheet-wax (pale pink 

 is useful also, but not indispensable), green cotton-covered wire 

 of suitable size and strength, and the usual tools and colours. 

 If more than one good flower is available, dissect one by means 

 of a small sharp knife, trace each whorl on white paper, cut 

 out carefully, and, laying these patterns upon the fabric, 

 so that each " petal " will be slightly on the cross, cut out a 

 number of whorls in readiness for subsequent treatment. 

 Should there, however, not be a flower available for this 

 purpose, the following diagrams (Figs, i-ia, 2-2a), taken from 

 actual flowers, will prove of service. 



It will be observed that the carpels of a newly-opened 

 flower are small and of delicate tints, and the points, or stigmas, 

 are so close together as to be scarcely distinguishable one from 

 another, whilst those of more mature flowers are larger, deeper 

 in colour, and the stigmas have become elongated, recurved, 

 and open, showing a whitish lining. The first form — and this 

 only — can be made in one piece as now described : — A strip 

 of white wax, a little wider than the length of the carpels, is 



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