SOME VARIETIES OF POLLEN. 203 



the flower of the maple, have drawn the figure of the 

 particles in form of a cross, but I find them to be globu- 

 lar ; nevertheless, as soon as they were touched with 

 moisture they instantly burst into four parts, assuming 

 the form of the cross. 



" From which it may be inferred that the hollow 

 globules contained some subtle fluid which, when moist- 

 ened by rain or dew, burst and discharged their contents 

 on the surrounding organs of the flower." — Evelyn's 

 Silva. 



What wondrous secrets are revealed to us through the 

 medium of the microscope ! What a world of interest 

 does it open to the inquiring mind of the young student 

 of Nature ! 



The minutest insect, the wing of a fly, a drop of 

 puddle water, the capsule of a tiny moss, or a morsel of 

 sea-weed, are revelations sealed to the mere outward, 

 unassisted vision. 



A scientist once remarked, "Life, even a long life, is 

 not long enough to take in the thousandth part of 

 what wonders the microscope could reveal to us in one 

 short hour, of things so insignificant that we pass them 

 by without seeing or caring for them." 



There is nothing small in God's sight. To us these 

 things may appear insignificant, but all have been created 

 with a purpose, and go to complete the wonderful work 

 of the creation. 



