How do we know the color of anything? We know it by the color which it reflects. Why is the rose red? Because it reflects the red color, and absorbs or hides the other colors in itself. When anything _absorbs_ all the colors of a ray of light, what color is it? It is black. When it _reflects_ all the colors of light, what color is it? It is white. Why are the letters on this page black? Because they absorb all the colors of light, and reflect none. Why is the paper white? Because it reflects all the colors of light, and absorbs none. Why are all things black in the dark? Because there are no rays of light falling on them; hence, there is no color for them to reflect. Does an object reflect its color in every direction? It does reflect its color in every direction. How do we know this? Because thousands of persons, in different directions from the same object, can see it at the same time. How are the rays of color reflected from an object? They are reflected in straight lines. Where must a person be so as to see an object? He must be in a position so that there is nothing to prevent the rays of light passing in a straight line from the object to his eyes. What color does a red ribbon reflect? It reflects a red color. Why are some red ribbons of a brighter red than others? When they reflect a great many red rays, they are of a bright red color; but when they reflect only a few red rays, they are of a dull red color. Upon what does the brightness or dullness of a color depend? It depends upon the number of rays of that color reflected. What variety does this produce? It produces a great variety in the shades and tints of color. Where may many of these shades and tints be seen? In the pretty flowers that grow in the woods, fields, and gardens; in the beautiful tints of the leaves in autumn; and in the plumage of the birds that visit us every spring, and cheer us with their songs. What may these things teach us? They may teach us the goodness of God, in giving us a world so full of beauty; and we should feel ever thankful to Him for the great pleasure that we have in seeing them. Why cannot we see the light of a lamp or candle distinctly, in the day-time? Because the strong rays from the sun hide the more feeble rays from the lamp. Why cannot we see the stars in the day-time? Because the bright light from the sun hides their more feeble light. When can we see the glow-worms or fire-flies best? At night, when it is dark; because, at other times, the light of the sun hides their feeble light. Where may we see them at night? Flying about in all directions, looking like bits of fire moving in the air. Does a looking-glass reflect all the colors of light falling upon it? It does; hence, the ray of light is not changed. When the object is of a blue color, why is blue only reflected? Because it is the only color falling upon the glass, and there is no other color to reflect.