And you must learn the value of the figures before you can do a sum.

Why, what would you think of any one who sat down to play at cards--for money too (which I hope and trust you never will do)--before he knew the names of the cards, and which counted highest, and took the other?
Of course he would be very foolish.
Just as foolish are those who make up "theories" (as they call them) about this world, and how it was made, before they have found out what the world is made of.

You might as well try to find out how this hay- field was made, without finding out first what the hay is made of.
How the hay-field was made?
Was it not always a hay-field?
Ah, yes; the old story, my child: Was not the earth always just what it is now?
Let us see for ourselves whether this was always a hay-field.
How?
Just pick out all the different kinds of plants and flowers you can find round us here.

How many do you think there are?
Oh--there seem to be four or five.
Just as there were three or four kinds of flies in the air.

Pick them, child, and count.