The petals of flower-buds are also folded in many ways, affording odd designs; if cut in like manner as the leaves, the cross-sections will be as beautiful. Fig. 85, the lilac bud, and the oleander (Fig. 86), give some idea of these odd designs. Submit all kinds of buds to the test by cutting them in halves, and carefully examining the two parts, observe how nicely and orderly the leaves are folded together. In this way you will find many natural ornamental patterns.
Nor must we neglect the seed-vessels; when these in their turn are cut open, they present excellent designs. Fig. 87 is a cross-section of the seed-vessel of the harebell. Other seeds will furnish queer forms and figures to be obtained in no other way.
Flower Sprays.
The common white clover with its trefoil leaf is very pretty, and if a few sprays are placed together in a graceful manner it is surprising how readily they lend themselves to decoration. Experiment with these, gather a few blossoms and leaves, group them on the centre of a piece of paper, and make an outline of the group; then trace it off in order to repeat the copy at equal intervals from the central figure (see illustration, [page 138]); this makes a very simple and yet beautiful design for embroidery, needle-work, or wall-paper pattern. In the same manner try grasses and different kinds of flowers.
Conventional designs can also be formed by simply inclosing a natural spray in a geometrical figure. Fig. 88 is a circle, but a square, triangle, diamond, oval, or any geometrical figure may take the place of the circle.