“Then, again, take the snowdrop. The one grown in the soil has produced two or three new bulbs, while that grown in water has not. These new bulbs were the side buds we noticed between the scales when we opened out our snowdrop bulb. In both snowdrops the old bulb has been completely used up to form green leaves and flower. “But the bulb grown in soil has not only produced flowers and green leaves. It has gathered up enough material from soil and air to form new bulbs for next year.” [Illustration] 1. Snowdrop Flower—_A_, the spathe. 2. Crocus Plant. 3. Old and Young Corms of Crocus. 4. Young Snowdrop Flower enclosed in its spathe. 5. Crocus Flower. 6. Tulip Flower dissected. Uncle George then divided the crocus flower with his knife from top to bottom. “At the very bottom of the flower,” he said, “you see the ovary, or seed-vessel, containing the tiny seeds. From the seed-vessel a long thin rod or tube stretches to the very mouth of the flower. You can also see the remains of the spathe which once enclosed the whole flower.” “And what are those three things covered with orange-coloured dust?” asked Tom. “These,” said his uncle, “are the stamens or pollen-boxes; and the orange-coloured powder is the pollen. This pollen is carried about from flower to flower by the bees. Pollen is necessary for the production of seeds. “Do you know why the seed-vessel of the crocus is so far down under the ground? “It is because the crocus flowers in winter-time, and the frost might kill the young seeds. Underground they are safe from frost. The snowdrop is a hardy flower, and, besides, the walls of its seed-vessel are very thick. “The tulip, if grown outside, flowers much later than the other two plants. “Notice the difference between the flower of the tulip and those of either crocus or snowdrop. Its petals are all separate, while those of the others are joined to form a bell or tube. The seed-vessel of the tulip, also, stands right up in the centre of the flower, while that of the snowdrop (and crocus) is placed underneath the flower altogether.” “How is it, Uncle George, that the flowers of both tulip and crocus open out wide when the sun shines and close when the sun goes down?” asked Frank. “Plants can feel to a certain extent,” said Uncle George. “That is to say, they are affected by heat and cold, by light and shade. A great many flowers close up at night—the daisy, for instance; and have you never noticed how clover leaves fold up long before night comes?” “Yes, but why should the crocus and tulip open and close? The snowdrop never closes up.” “They do so to protect their pollen,” his uncle answered. “Rain or dew would ruin pollen. Those flowers, like the crocus and tulip, which open out to the sky must close up, or the precious pollen would be destroyed. Flowers like the snowdrop and bluebell, which hang downwards, have no need to close up, for their pollen is under a roof of joined petals.”