128 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. 
Lesson Y. 
In tlie subject that now comes under our consideration we bave in the 
Pansy (fig. 1), a flower which strikes us on its first appearance as one alto¬ 
gether different from any of those we have already considered in our previous 
lessons. In fact, all those preced¬ 
ing were what are called regular 
flowers—that is to say, a flower 
in which the whole of the parts 
perfectly correspond. Thus, the 
segments of the calyx were equal 
to each other ; the petals, the 
stamens, the parts of the central 
organ or pistil formed regular 
groups; and when there was a 
difference of size between these 
organs, the smallest parts corre¬ 
sponded equally with the largest. 
In the Herb Robert, for example, 
five of the stamens are shorter 
than the five others, but the five 
small form a very regular group 
as well as the five large ones. 
In the Wallflower there are two 
stamens shorter than the four 
others, which seems to destroy 
the regularity ; but the two small 
ones are placed opposite each 
other, the four large are in ap¬ 
proximation in two oppositepairs, 
and the regularity is preserved. 
In the flower of the Pansy, on 
the contrary, this regularity dis¬ 
appears in a remarkable manner. 
Observe first the calyx or ex¬ 
terior envelope. It is composed 
of five green leaves, in some 
measure distinct from each other, 
Fig. l.—The Pansy (Viola tricolor). but united for about half tlieir 
length. It is also by that part 
that they adhere to the support or receptacle, to which they form a border; 
beside this, as a whole they are regular or nearly so. 
The petals of the corolla or interior envelope are entirely irregular. To 
study them carefully, begin by removing neatly the parts of the calyx in such 
a way as to leave only the portion which forms a border to the receptacle. 
\ou will see then the whole of the petals, which are not united, but distinct 
the one from the other. There are five of them, and their irregularity is so 
great that they differ even in colour. The two superior petals have the same 
colour and the same dimensions. The two side petals have also a colour and 
dimensions peculiar to them, and are equal; but the fifth, which is the lowest, 
is the broadest, and the colour differs from that of the others. 
Carefully remove the four superior petals: you will see that they all take 
