253 
flowers (Fig. 273) in the center; but the outer strap 
flowers are so small! that you can hardly believe they 
are really flowers, and the tube flowers look hardly 
larger than ordinary stamens. To see them at all 
clearly, you must use a good magnifying glass. 
And you must search very patiently for the tiny 
bunch (Fig. 271) which is the head of the golden-rod. 
Next you must pick to pieces this little head, separating 
the outer from the inner flowers. 
In hunting for a single head in this great yellow 
flower cluster, you must look for the little cup-like 
_arrangement, the tiny greenish or yellowish leaves; for 
each head is held in one of these small cups. Fic. 273 
Although the golden-rod is one of the most difficult 
of all the flowers to understand, once you have seen for 
yourselves how each little head is held in its tiny cup, 
you will find it easy enough to pick out its single 
flowers, and then you will have mastered the secret of 
the golden-rod. 
