Variety and Vividness of Colors in Flowers.

Scientific American 45, 28.7.1849

The petals of flowers, do not owe their beauty to the color that paints them, for that when drawn off, is dull and dead; neither do they owe their brilliant tints to the skin that covers them. Their lovely appearance is derived chiefly from the bubbles of water which compose their pabulum. Receiving the sun's rays they are enlivened and brightened by reflection and refraction from those drops of water, and from that spot or point of light been seen in every bubble, and striking to the focus underneath. By these means the whole flower would at times be one blaze of light, had not nature, to soften the same covered the petal with an upper and under skin which curtails their diamond-like rays, and leaves them instead a lightness and beauty unequalled by the most exquisite art of the painter.