Teacher's Leaflet. ii6i 



dis(x>vered by long and patient observation that when self-fertilization of its seed 

 is prevented a plant becomes stronger and better able to win in its fight for a, 

 place to grow. And both species of Plantains must be cross-fertilized for the 

 flowers begin to open at the bottom of the spikes, the buds with their withered 

 pistils being always just above. 



The Broad-leaved Plantain bears a very great number of flowers in long spikes 

 with round, stiff stems, taking a week to ten or twelve days to unfold from base 

 to tip. The Narrow-leaved variety has very tall, five-grooved flower-stems, but the 

 blossoming spike is only an inch to two inches long and packed close with flowers. 

 Pollen in both species is very abundant, scattered at every nod of the pliant but 

 very strong stems. 



Lesson XXIV. 



THE SEEDS. 



Observations by Pupils: 



(i). Make a rough computation of the number of seeds a single Plan- 

 tain may bear by counting the number on a single spike, and multiplying 

 by the number of spikes on the plant. 



(2). Observe the wonderful little seed-case, which is a pyxis or tiny 

 urn with a cover which fits more exactly than as if made of gold by a 

 jeweler. Does it contain one seed or many? 



(3). When studied with a lens have the seeds any ridges or markings 

 by which they can be distinguished ? 



(4). Do the seeds of the two species look alike? Are the tiny urns 

 which contain the seeds similar in shape? 



Facts for teachers. — Were it not for the exceeding fondness of the birds for its 

 seeds, it would seem that the Broad-leaved Plantain must possess the earth, for 

 the writer has counted three hundred and twenty-eight of the tiny pyxes on one 

 spike from a plant which bore fourteen spikes in various stages of growth. When 

 it is considered that each little urn holds a treasure of seven to six'ieen seeds our 

 wonder grows. But every one who has owned a canary knows that it chooses 

 every plantain-seed first from its seed-cup before touching the other sorts, and 

 its wild kindred have probably a similar preference. All the Finches like weed 

 seeds and Man should be grateful that the Finches are very many. 



The pyxes on the Narrow-leaved Plantain are more slender and contain but two 

 seeds, which fit into the little urns exactly and are grooved something like coffee- 

 beans, and set with the flat grooved sides together. The seeds of the Broad-leaf 

 are covered with a sort of netting or pitting which is as lovely as though made for 

 all the world to see. 



It will be seen that Plantains are well fitted to hold their own in a struggle with 

 other growing things or against the efforts of men to make them give room to 

 more useful plants. Frequent cutting to prevent as far as possible the production 

 of seed is a sure means of extermination if carried out well; for though the 

 roots are perennial, they will die if not given any opportunity to draw nourishment 



