Cultivated-Plant Study 615 



partition which extends only part way toward the center of the capsule. 

 On these partitions, the little seeds are grown in great profusion, and when 

 they ripen, they fall together in the hollow center of the seed-box. But 

 how are they to get out? This is a point of interest for the children to 

 observe, and they should watch the whole process. Just beneath the 

 stigma-disk, and between each two of the sharp ridges, the point loosens; 

 later, it turns outward and back, leaving a hole which leads directly into 

 the central hollow portion of the capsule. The way these points open is as 

 pretty a story as I know in flower history. This beautiful globular cap 

 sule, with its graceful pedestal where it joins the stem, is a seed-shaker 

 instead of a salt or pepper-shaker. Passing people and animals push 

 against it and the stiff stem bends and then springs back, sending a little 

 shower of seeds this way and that; or a wind sways the stalk, and the 

 seeds are sown, a few at a time, and in different conditions of season and 

 weather. Thus, although the poppy puts all her eggs in one basket, she 

 sends them to market a few at a time. The poppy seed is a pretty object, 

 as seen through the lens. It is shaped like a round bean, and is covered 

 with a honeycomb network. 



LESSON CLV 

 THE POPPY 



Leading thought The poppies shed their sepals when the flowers ex- 

 pand; they offer quantities of pollen to the bees, which are very fond of it. 

 The seed-capsule develops holes around the top, through which the seeds 

 are shaken, a few at a time. 



Method- It is best to study these flowers in the garden, but the lesson 

 may be given if some of the plants with the buds are brought to the school- 

 room, care being taken that they do not droop. If the teacher thinks 

 wise, the pupils might prepare an English theme on the subject of the 

 opium poppy and the terrible effects of opium upon the eastern nations. 



Observations i. Look at the bud of the poppy; how is it covered? 

 How many sepals? Can you see where they unite? Is the stem bent 

 because the bud is heavy? What happens to this crook in the stem 

 when the flower opens? Does the crook always straighten out com- 

 pletely ? 



2. Describe how the poppy sheds its sepals. At what time of day do 

 the poppies usually open ? 



3. Look at the back of, or beneath, an open flower. How many 

 petals do you see? How are they arranged? Look at the base of the 

 flower. How many petals do you see? How are they arranged in rela- 

 tion to the lower petals and to the pistil? 



4. Look at the globular pistil. Describe the disk which covers it. 

 How many ridges on this disk? How are they arranged? Look at the 

 ridges with a lens and tell what they are. 



5. Look at the stamens. How are they arranged? Describe the 

 anthers their color, and the color of the pollen. Watch the bees work- 

 ing on the poppies, and note if they are after nectar or pollen. 



6. Find all the varieties of poppies possible, and note the colors of the 

 petals on the outside, the inside and at the base ; of the stamens, including 

 filaments, anthers and pollen; of the pistil-disk and ovary. Sketch the 



