300 THE LILIES OF THE FIELDS, ETC. 
the lilies proper. The lily of the valley (Fig. 50) is of a 
pure white; hence its beauty cannot be sought in its color, 
Fig. 50. but must principally be due to its 
peculiar form. In the lily family the 
form of the flower is perfectly regu- 
lar; the three leaves of the calyx are 
succeeded by three leaves of the co- 
rolla; then follow the six stamens, 
and in the centre of the flower we 
find the three pistils. These parts may be very easily reo- 
ognized in*the figure of the open flower and the bud of 
Scilla here added (Fig. 51). Fig. 51. 
In the Iris family—of which » 
a section of the flower, bud 
and pod is illustrative— we 
notice also that the parts are 
all threefold; here, even the 
stamens are three in num- 
ber, and not six as in the 
lilies. A like symmetry and regularity of flower is exh 
by many large trees, as the Date-palm (Fig. 52), the leave? 
of which are the Palms of 
Scripture ; and even micros- 
copie parts of the flower: 
like the pollen grains, often 
show a similar regularity. 
(Fig. 53.) 
That color cannot be the 
most important element » 
the beauty of these flowers, 
we may conclude from ibe 
fact that even the imperfect 
uncolored figures here given are not destitute of beauty: 
Again, the form of the petals is as changing as their ook 
so that the particular form of any of the parts of these 
> 
B *- = n 
flowers cannot either be considered as the most esse 


ibited 
Fig. 52. 





