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PLANT LIFE. 



are compound or " digitate^' consisting of several 

 leaflets springing from a stout stalk. Each leaflet is 

 very similar in shape to the leaf of the woodruff, and for 

 the same reason. The whole leaf catches all the sun- 



FiG. 14. — Leaves of Woodruff (Asperula odorata). 



light that falls on the space which the leaflets unitedly 

 cover. The number of leaflets is, however, in this case 

 rather variable. Sometimes there are eight, but there 

 may be twelve or more, as the plant, being a cultivated 

 one, is not so rigorously economical as a wild one would 



