Yes, father, and thought it a funny one.
Just gather one and examine it. How many petals are there, and how are they placed?
There are five, but not all of the same size. There is a good upper one, two side ones, and two at the bottom, enclosing the rest of the flower.
That upper one is the standard, and the two at the sides are the wings. Could you describe the orchis, the wild flower of our bush?
I will try. There are six petals; three are bent backward, two are at the sides, and one opposite to the three is also bent backward. Is not honey found at the bottom of the corolla cup?
It is, in a place called the Nectary. I shall afterwards explain the object of the sweets. But we must hasten on to the Stamens. These generally arise from near the base of the petals.
Are they the ones with the yellow dust on the top?
They are, my lad. If you look at one, you will find a long thread or Filament, bearing a loose top, called the Anther, which carries the Pollen or yellow dust.
But why is not the pollen always to be felt on the anther?
Because it is shut up in cells at first. When the walls of these burst open, the pollen shows itself outside, and is also scattered about.