Now, in talking about a flower it is troublesome to use a great many words where one would answer every purpose, so I will tell you what these different parts of the flower have been named; and by taking a little trouble to remember these names, we can save a good deal of time. The green cup is called the “calyx.” “Calyx” is a Greek word meaning “cup.” The circle of leaves which grow above the green cup or calyx is called the “corolla.” “Corolla” comes from a word which means “crown.” The pins with dust boxes are called “stamens.” “Stamen” comes from a word meaning “to stand.” The pin with a seedbox is called the “pistil.” “Pistil” is another form of the word “pestle.” A pestle is an instrument used in the drug shops for pounding and mixing medicines. You might ask to look at one the next time you are sent to the drug shop, and then you can see for yourselves if it really looks like its namesake, the pin with a seedbox. Perhaps at first you may find it a little difficult to bear in mind these four words with their meanings; but soon they will become quite easy, and will save you much trouble. Green cup,—calyx. Circle of flower leaves,—corolla. Pins with dust boxes,—stamens. Pin with seedbox,—pistil. If you remember the names of these four parts of the flower, how the different parts look, and what they do, you will have made a good start in the study of flowers. LILIES I think most of you know by sight at least one of the three following flowers. I have asked for pictures of three different kinds of lilies, so that the city and country children alike may recognize an old friend; for every spring the white Easter lily (Fig. 162) stands outside the flower shops, and decorates the churches, and travels through the streets in the peddler’s cart; while in summer time the country is bright with the wood and meadow lilies (Figs. 163, 164). [Illustration: FIG. 162] [Illustration: FIG. 163] And I hope that even now one of the living blossoms is before you, for I want you to see for yourselves what plan these lilies use in flower building. The building plan of the cherry, you remember, began with a green cup or calyx. Do you find in the lily any green cup? No, there is nothing of the sort in the lilies. You see only a circle of flower leaves. In the last chapter you learned to call such a circle the corolla. But the wise men say that without a calyx there cannot be a real corolla. So in the lily we will speak of the “flower leaves” instead of the corolla. Next we find six of the pins with dust boxes, or the stamens. And then we come to the pin with a seedbox below, or the pistil. [Illustration: FIG. 164] So the building plan of the lily has only three divisions:— 1. Flower leaves. 2. Stamens. 3. Pistil.