CHAP. in. BEGINNINGS OF BOTANY. 19 



from the other. He began to detect the differences 

 between them, though he then knew little about orders, 

 classes, and genera. When the hazel-nuts were ripe he 

 gathered them and brought loads of them home for the 

 enjoyment of his master's bairns. They all had a great 

 love for the 'prentice Kobert. 



He must also, in course of time, have obtained some 

 special acquaintance with botany. At all events, he 

 inquired, many years after, about some particular plants 

 which he had observed during his residence at Dam's 

 Burn and Tullibody. " Send me," he said to his eldest 

 sister, " a twig with the blossom and some leaves, from 

 the Tron Tree in Tullibody." The Tron Tree is a lime 

 tree standing nearly opposite the house in which Eobert 

 was born. 



" Send me also," he said, " a specimen of the wild 

 geranium, which you will find on the old road close by 

 the foot of the hills between Menstrie and Alva. I also 

 want a water-plant [describing it] which grows in the 

 river Devon." The two former were sent to him, but 

 the water-plant could not be found. 



Eobert's apprenticeship lasted for three years and a 

 half. He got no wages only his meals and his bed. 

 He occupied a small room over the bakehouse. His 

 father had still to clothe him, and his washing was done 

 at home. On Saturdays he went with his " duds " to 

 Dam's Burn. But either soap was scarce, or good-will 

 was wanting. His step-mother would not give him 

 clean stockings except once a fortnight. His sister 

 Agnes used to accompany him home to Tullibody in the 



