283 



NATURE-STUDY REVIEW 



[12:6-Sept.. 1916 



FIFTH GRADE. 



The parts of plants and their uses — The pupil should come to 

 understand that the parts of a plant are as important to it as his 

 mouth, hands, feet, stomach, etc., are to himself. The leaves 

 make and digest the food for the plant , but they cannot make the 

 food without the help of the sunlight. The stem or petiole of the 

 leaf is for the purpose of holding it out to the light. The stem and 

 branches of the plant are for the purpose of holding the leaves out 

 where they may reach the light; and of holding the flowers up 

 where they may be seen by the insects; and of holding the fruit 



out where the seeds may be scattered. The 

 stems, branches, and petioles also contain the 

 sap channels. The root pushes its way through 

 the soil and takes up water, containing plant 

 food, which is carried up through the stem. 

 It also holds the plant in place. The flower is 

 for the purpose of producing fruit. The seed 

 is the whole object for which the plant grows 

 and develops. P. 491-6. 



References : First Lessons in Botany, Atkin- 

 son, pp. 40-70; Plant Notebook, Comstock, 

 pp. 1-12; Plants and Their Children, Dana, p. 

 197. 



The hollyhock — This is a special study of the 

 relation of bees to flowers . The bees work so con- 

 stantly in hollyhocks that they may be observed 

 in any garden . The facts to bring out are these : 

 When the hollyhock first opens, its many anthers form a knob at 

 the center of the flower. At first its many stigmas are concealed 

 at the center of the anther knob. Later, after the pollen has been 

 shed, the stigmas push out like a fountain of spray from the tip of 

 the knob. The nectar wells are situated, one between each two 

 petals, at their bases, and are always overflowing. 



The hollyhock "puts on a great deal of style" in the matter of 

 sepals, for she seems to have two sets of sepals for every flower. 

 However, we call the lower set bracts. How pretty the holly- 

 hock buds are ! The five sepals cover the delicate petals so closely 

 that they seem to be sewed up in seams. Below these is a frill of 

 bracts which may be five or more in number. Both bracts and 

 sepals remain steadfast and become a part of the fruit. The sepals 



