46 OF PLANTS. 



leaves, flowers and fruit. The point at or near the sur 

 face of the earth, where the root and stem join, is called 

 the collar of the plant. 



142. The stem and branches are protected from heat 

 and cold by the bark. 



143. The Leaves are the organs through which the air, 

 and the light and heat of the sun act upon the sap which 

 comes up into them through the stem. Through their 

 surface the superfluous moisture is evaporated, and oxy 

 gen gas is thrown out into the air, and carbonic acid and 

 other gases for the nourishment of the plant are absorbed. 



The Sap changed by these actions of the elements, is 

 carried back down into the stem, and converted, by the 

 vital action of the plant, into wood, bark, new branches 

 and leaves, fruits and whatever else is produced by the 

 plant. 



144. The Flower is the organ by means of which the 

 seeds are prepared ; and a great object of the plant is the 

 production of fruit containing seeds. 



145. By carefully examining a rose, you may see the 

 several parts of which a Flower consists. Outside of the 

 flower leaves is a flower cup or Calyx, of five green leaves, 

 called the calyx leaves or sepals, which cover and protect 

 all the parts of the flower, before they arc ready to open. 



146. Inside the calyx are the flower leaves, called 

 Petals, tender, and of a delicate texture and beautiful 

 color. All the petals together arc called the Corolla. 



147. Next inside the corolla arc the Stamens, slender 

 threads or filaments, of a pale yellow color, each bearing 

 at its extremity a little sack called an Anther, full of fine 

 dust called pollen. This dust or Pollen is essential to the 

 fecundation of the seeds, that is, !&amp;lt;&amp;gt; their becoming perfect, 

 fertile seeds, fit to produce a plant. 



