X 66 THE FAIRY-LAND OF SCIENCE. 
which the roots spring. This is really the stem of 
the primrose hidden underground, and all the starch, 
albuminoids, etc., which the plant can spare as it 
grows, are sent down into this underground stem and 
stored up there, to lie quietly in the ground through 
the long winter, and then when the warm spring comes 
this stem begins to send out leaves for a new plant. 
We have now seen how a plant springs up, feeds 
itself, grows, stores up food, withers, and dies; but we 
have said nothing yet about its beautiful flowers or 
how it forms its seeds. If we look down close to the 
bottom of the leaves in a primrose root in spring-time, 
we shall always find three or four little green buds 
nestling in among the leaves, and day by day we may 
see the stalk of these buds lengthening till they reach 
up into the open sunshine, and then the flower opens 
and shows its beautiful pale-yellow crown. 
We all know that seeds are formed in the flower, 
and that the seeds are necessary to grow into new 
plants. But do we know the history of how they are 
formed, or what is the use of the different parts of 
the bud? Let us examine them all, and then I think 
you will agree with me that this is not the least won- 
derful 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 
