CARNATIONS. 203 
.. 
or outer circle, commonly called the guard 
leaves ; thefe fhould rife perpendicularly, 
about half an inch above the calyx, and 
then turn off gracefully, in a horizontal 
direction, fupporting the interior petals, 
and altogether forming a convex, and 
nearly hemifpherical corolla. 
The interior petals fhould rather de~ 
creafe in fize, as they approach the 
centre of the flower, which fhould be 
well filled with them. 
The petals fhould be regularly dif- 
pofed alike on every fide, imbricating 
each other in fuch a manner as that both 
their refpeCtive and united beauties may 
captivate the eye at the fame infiant. 
. 
they fhould be nearly flat, however, a 
fmall degree of concavity, or inflection, 
at the lamina, or broad end, is allowable; 
but their edges fhould be perfectly entire, 
that 
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