52 JSotan^ 



voured by grazing animalSj and the plant thus 

 killedj were it not that they are full of an exceed- 

 ingly unpleasant, stinging juice, which no animal 

 but a donkey can abide. 



During the first weeks of its life the arum makes 

 leaves only, for leaves are needed to secure circula- 

 tion, digestion, and breathing for the plant. At this 

 time the corm underground is firm and plump. 

 When the seeds are formed the corm is flaccid and 

 shrunken, and the leaves begin to dr}^ and fail. Their 

 work is done when seeds are secured. 



All seeds are provided with food in some form for 

 the future plant during the early days of its growth. 

 Starch, sugar, what is called albumen, or " white 

 food," are laid up either iii the seed-leaf part of the 

 embryo or free within the husk of the seed itself. 

 This is needful, Ijecause a new plant can no more 

 obtain food for itself than a new baby, or a chick still 

 in the egg. The human baby is fed carefully pre- 

 pared food ; the chick in the egg feeds upon the 

 white of the egg that surrounds the j^olk, until at 

 last the little downy chick can peck its way out of 

 the sliell, toddle about, and forage for itself. 



The seeds, the new plants or seedlings of any 

 variety are very numerous. This is needful, as they 

 are subject to man}^ disasters. They may be eaten 

 by animals or birds, decayed by overmuch moisture, 



