The general building plan of the violet (Fig. 216) is the old one of calyx, corolla, stamens, pistil. But the leaves of this calyx (Fig. 217) are put together in a curious, irregular fashion; and the different leaves of the corolla are not of the same shape and size as in the cherry blossom. Then the five stamens of the violet are usually joined about the stalk of the pistil in a way that is quite confusing, unless you know enough to pick them apart with a pin, when they look like this picture you see above, to the right (Fig. 218). [Illustration: FIG. 216] [Illustration: FIG. 217] [Illustration: FIG. 218] The garden pansy (Figs. 219, 220) is cousin to the violet. You notice at once that it uses just the same building plan. [Illustration: FIG. 219] [Illustration: FIG. 220] [Illustration: FIG. 221] [Illustration: FIG. 222] The wild geranium (Figs. 221, 222) is put together almost as simply as the cherry blossom. A more beautiful flower than the columbine it would be difficult to find (Fig. 223). Its graceful hanging head and brilliant coloring make it a delight to the passer-by. [Illustration: FIG. 223] It has not the fragrance of some other flowers, but for this there is a good reason. The columbine is so brightly colored that the nectar-hunting bee can see it from a great distance. It is only when a blossom is so small and faintly colored as to be unlikely to attract the eye, that it needs to make its presence known in some other way than by wearing gay clothes. By giving out fragrance it notifies the bee that material for honey making is on hand. So you see that a pale little flower with a strong fragrance is just as able to attract the bee’s attention as is a big flower with its bright flower handkerchiefs. A big flower with bright flower handkerchiefs does not need to attract the bee by its perfume. Perhaps you will be somewhat surprised to learn that this columbine uses the old plan, calyx, corolla, stamens, pistil. In the columbine the calyx as well as the corolla is brightly and beautifully colored, and only the botanist can tell which is which. In this way many flowers confuse one who is only beginning their study. So you must try to be patient when you come across a flower whose coloring and shape make it impossible for you to say what is calyx and what is corolla. You should turn both over into the one division of flower leaves, and when older you may be able to master the difficulty. [Illustration: FIG. 224] The pretty fringed polygala (Fig. 224) is one of these confusing flower. You find it in the May woods. Its discovery is such a delight, that one is not apt to make himself unhappy because he cannot make out all its parts. [Illustration: FIG. 225] The jewelweed (Fig. 225), the plant which blossoms down by the brook in August, is another of these puzzling blossoms. [Illustration: Decoration] A CELEBRATED FAMILY Do you know this pretty flower (Fig. 226)? [Illustration: FIG. 226]