2l6 THE PLANT WORLD. 



space at the right for the successive stages of growth and begin 

 similar records for the pea, corn and squash. 



Observe from day to day the different stages by which the stem 

 becomes erect in the air, and represent them, as observed, in a 

 row from left to right along the soil line as directed above. Rep- 

 resent five stages in each plant. Are the halves of the seed raised 

 into the air in any of the plants? Written description as above. 



Note. — It is best not to try to explain zi'hy some plants break 

 through the soil in the form of an arch, while others do not, or 

 why some lift the halves of the seed, while others do not. It is 

 doubtful if the true significance of the fact is known, and a child 

 is too young to discuss theories. 



The Parts of the Plant. 



Material. — Young seedlings of the common white bean, 5-6 

 inches high. (Any other variety will do.) The plant will be 

 cleaner to handle if grown in moist sawdust instead of soil. 

 Carefully remove the plants and clean the roots in water. It will 

 be desirable also to have a plant or two grown in soil or sand for 

 the purpose of showing how closely the soil clings to the roots. 



Obsen'atioii. — Can you easily distinguish the underground por- 

 tion, the root, from above-ground portion, the slwotf How can 

 you tell them apart? What part of the embryo has grown into 

 the shoot? Can you recognize the plumule in the seedling? 

 Have any of the parts changed color since leaving the seed-coat? 

 If so, what parts and how have they changed? 



The Root. — Is there a main tap root? Is the root branched? 

 Which is longer, the root or the shoot? Which is the more 

 branched? Do you think this is an advantage to the plant? 

 How? What might be the result if the young shoot should 

 branch more than the root? Does the soil cling very closely to 

 the roots ? What advantages result to the plant from the branch- 

 ing of the root ? 



Ttie Shoot. — Observe that the shoot is composed of the stem 

 and the leaves. Does the stem have branches? If so, describe. 

 Are the leaves opposite each other on the stem? If not, describe 

 how they occur. What do you find at the tip of the shoot? If 



