"No; there is a long list yet; but we shall get on by degrees, if you remember them as you go on. A simple leaf (or a leaf which consists of one piece) is sometimes cut or lobed. Gather a bit of that Mallow, and count the lobes; you will find them to be seven: it is a seven-lobed leaf, but still simple, because the centre consists of one piece. Sometimes these lobes are more deeply cut, as in the Vine and some kinds of Geranium. Sometimes they are cut nearly to the stalk, and the lobes very narrow; then they are called palmate, from palma, the palm of the hand, the lobes being supposed to look like fingers. Sometimes the stalk passes through a simple leaf; then it is called perfoliate. And sometimes the leaves are without stalks, growing close to the stem; they are then called sessile, or sitting, because they sit on the stem. Sometimes a number of leaflets, or small leaves, are ranged on each side of one stalk, as in that little weed growing among the grass under your feet, the Silver-weed, or Potentilla. Such leaves are termed pinnate, from pinna, a feather. The Rose and the Jessamin have also pinnate leaves. Can you tell me, now, whether pinnate leaves are simple or compound?"

"O compound, certainly, because they are not all in one piece."

"Very well; the other terms are easy to remember, because they express the meaning. Heart-shaped, as in the Hazel-nut; kidney-shaped, as in Ground-ivy; arrow-shaped, as in Bindweed; egg-shaped, or oval, as in the Pear; angular, as in Ivy; linear, or line-like, as in all the grasses; hair-like, or capillary, as in Fennel. Now you may amuse yourselves by gathering as many specimens as you like, nd then describing them to me.'

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"Well, little Fanny, and how many varieties of leaves and stems and

Away ran the girls, and they were some little time gone, for Dora suggested to her sisters that Miss Vaughan looked tired (as she often did after talking a long while), and that it might rest her to walk slowly on by herself a little way, while they were amusing themselves.

Miss Vaughan heard their cheerful voices at a distance, and she felt happy to think how they were improving under her care, and how different was their manner now to the listless unsatisfied expression they generally wore when first she came among them. Presently she called them to her, and they came running with their hands full of specimens. "Well, little Fanny, and how many varieties of leaves, and stems, and roots, have you to show me?"

"You shall see, Miss Vaughan. First of all, here is my favourite Forget-me-not. I know it is the true one, because I found it close to a stream, and it has long leaves and bright blue flowers, with five petals; well, it has a creeping root, a forked stem, and oblong leaves, which are both simple and entire. And this Convolvulus has a twisting stem, arrowshaped leaves, and, I suppose, a creeping root; but it was so firmly fixed in the ground, that I could not pull it all out."

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Very well remembered, darling. Now let us examine Dora's."

"I said them over to Dora first," added Fanny, "and she explained to me again what you had been saying; I did not remember it all myself."

Miss Vaughan's approving smile, as she kissed Fanny's glowing cheek, rewarded her for this little confession.

"I cannot tell what this plant is," said Dora, "though it

is a very common one, and I could not get it up by the root; but it has an erect stem, and leaves which I suppose are pinnate, but they are not like those of the Rose or Jessamin."

"Its name," replied Miss Vaughan, "is Milfoil, or common Yarrow. When the leaflets of a pinnate leaf are cut in this way, they are called pinnatised, which signifies a feather divided. I have heard it called by the old English name of Nose-bleed, and I dare say it was once thought to possess the power of stopping blood. You know in former times, these weeds, as you disdainfully call them, were almost the only known medicines.”

"Now it is my turn," said Mary, "for we are just at home. Here is a curious kind of Buttercup, Miss Vaughan; it has a creeping root, a creeping stem, and leaves which are, I think, pinnate."

"No, Mary, there are three leaflets on a common stalk: when that is the case, they are called ternate; when there are five leaflets, they are quinate; and when more than five, pinnate."

"And when there are four, what is it called?"

"I do not think you will find four on any plant; there is always one at the top, and an equal number ranged on each side. Your plant is called the Creeping Buttercup, or Ranunculus Repens; beneath every leaf on the lower stem it sends out a little shoot, which takes root in the ground, and makes it a troublesome weed: it only grows in moist places."

"Yes; I found it close to the stream. And now just look at this, if you please, and tell me whether the leaf is