47 
petals. Take the Hypericum. In that plant, a line 
drawn from the base to the point of its petals, 
through that part which corresponds with the midrib 
of a leaf, describes a curve, and leaves one half of 
each petal twice as large as the other. Here, 
although there is a difference between the magnitude 
of the two sides of each petal, nevertheless the petals 
so stand that the general symmetry of the flower is 
preserved notwithstanding. Should the large side of 
any one petal be placed on the right hand of the ob¬ 
server, all the other large sides will be on the right hand 
also, or vice versa. The flower of the common Oleander 
is a favourite object with artists, and in it the very 
same peculiarity is observable. If neglected, that 
which is most characteristic of the Oleander flower is 
omitted, and resemblance fails. Little points of this 
nature are more common than is imagined, and are 
overlooked continually in the representation of 
flowers. 
93. Another apparent exception to the law of sym¬ 
metry occurs in the common Candy-tuft. This flower 
consists of four petals, two 
long and broad, two smaller 
and short. There seems to 
be no correspondence between 
the two sides of the flower^ 
and symmetry appears to be 
missing; but if the general 
mass of flowers in the Candy- 
flowers of candy-tuft, tuft is examined, it will be 
found that all the large petals are turned with the 
most exact regularity towards the circumference of 
the circle formed by the flower-head, and that conse¬ 
quently all the small petals turn towards the centre. 
