TULIP. POLLEN. 15 



EDWARD. 



I should like to try to find out, by myself, what 

 class and order some plant belongs to. 



MOTHER. 



That is the best thing you can do now, and here 

 is a Tulip to begin with. It is always a good way, 

 when you find a plant that is new to you, to exa- 

 mine some of the flowers which are not yet quite 

 opened, as well as those that are ; for the anthers 

 are then more distinct, and you may be sure that 

 none of them have been lost. 



EDWARD. 



I think this Tulip is in the sixth class, Hexan- 

 dria, and the order Monogynia. 



MOTHER. 

 It is, my dear ; but why do you think so ? 



EDWARD. 



Because it has six stamens and one pistil. But 

 the anthers are black, instead of being yellow like 

 those of the Wall-flower that we examined yester- 

 day. Does that make any difference ? 



MOTHER. 



No. The pewder with which the anthers are 

 covered, and which is called Pollen, or Fari'na, is 

 of different colours in different plants. 



