THE LIFE OF A PRIMROSE. 163 
think you will agree with me that this is not the least 
wonderful part of the plant. 
Remember that the seed is the one important thing, 
and then notice how the flower protects it. First, 
look at the outside green covering, which we call the 
calyx. See how closely it fits in the bud, so that no 
insects can creep in to gnaw the flower, nor any harm 
come to it from cold or blight. Then, when the calyx 
opens, notice that the yellow leaves which form the 
crown or corolla, are. each alternate with one of the 
calyx leaves, so that anything which got past the first 
covering would be stopped by the second. Lastly, 
when the delicate corolla has opened out, look at 
those curious yellow bags just at the top of the tube 
(2 b t Fig 43). What is their use ? 
Fig. 43- 
The two forms of the Primrose-flower. 
a, Stigma or sticky head of the seed-vessel. 6, Anthers of the 
stamens, t, Corolla or crown of the flower, d, Calyx or outer covering. 
sv, Seed-vessel. A, Enlarged pistil, with pollen-grain resting on the 
stigma and growing down to the ovule, o, Ovules. 
But I fancy I see two or three little questioning 
faces which seem to say, "I see no yellow bags at 
M 2 
