62 AND PARTS OF THE FLOWER. 
stamens, that is two whorls of stamens of five each. 
Now five of the stamens (s¢.) (see also f. 12. which 
is a section of the flower), alternate with the petals, 
and the other five are opposite them; thus we have 
four whorls of organs arranged alternately. 
103. There are, however, many flowers which do not 
bear out this rule, or rather appear to contradict this 
law of alternate arrangement of parts; but this is 
supposed to be due to the suppression of some parts 
of the flower, and of this proofs are to be had in the 
flowers of many plants; one illustration will suffice. 
In the flower of the Geranium (f. 10.) we find five 
sepals (s.), five petals (p.), ten stamens (st.), and five 
ovaries (ov.). On examining the relative position of 
these parts, we find’ the petals are alternate with the 
sepals, but that the owter row of stamens, which are 
shorter than the five inner, are opposite to the petals, 
instead of being alternate. But upon close examination 
five very small scales (se.) (see also f. 9.) will be seen 
on the outside of the base of the longer stamens which 
are between, or alternate with the petals: these scales 
are rudimentary stamens, and which, if produced, would 
make the arrangement complete as regards the law 
of alternation. So also at f. 12, the section of the 
Rue flower exhibits the five ovaries (0v.), opposite the 
inner row of stamens, when, by the rule, they should be 
alternate with them. ut in the flower f. 11, may be 
seen at m. a ring surrounding the ovaries, which is 
considered to be another row or whorl of rudimentary 
stamens. At f. 18, is given the plan ofan ideal flower, 
showing the alternation of all the parts; 7. the leaves 
