17 
At its end will be found five-points, which represent 
the five external divisions that originally belonged to 
it. If the fruit is cut across, the five-pointed star in 
the centre indicates the symmetrical number of the 
apple to be five. If we count the parts in the apple 
blossom we find five outer divisions in its calyx; five 
thin delicate plates next succeed as the corolla; then 
twenty threads for the stamens ; and, finally, five 
other central points or arms complete the structure ; 
all equal and alike in each series, all placed in a 
certain fixed relation to each other round a common 
centre, which itself corresponds with the surrounding 
organs. This structure is 5 + 5 + (5 x4)+5. 
35. In an ear of corn the same kind of symmetry 
exists, although more difficult to discover. Each 
grain stands in perfectly symmetrical relation to the 
others : one right, one left; each a little higher than 
the preceding. Even the small scales of chaff' which 
enclose the grains, are placed in an equally symme¬ 
trical position with respect to each othei\ The de¬ 
monstration of this, however, involves minute details, 
which need not be entered upon at present. When 
properly understood it assists in further proving that 
symmetry is a fundamental law in plants, and that 
the most dissimilar forms of vegetation obey that law. 
36. It is not merely in the higher orders of plants 
that this symmetry occurs. It equally pervades the 
lowest. Let the student take for example an Aga- 
ricus or Toadstool; in this plant, low as it is in 
the scale of development, symmetry is as much ob¬ 
servable as in other species. The Toadstool was 
originally a sphere. In time it loses that shape but 
preserves concentricity of outline, and as it does so, 
organises itself, producing vertical plates. And how 
