PLANT STUDY 185 



in the flower-stalk, as in the cauliflower; in portions of the 



stem, as in the potato ; and in the seed cases, as in the fruits 



generally. The purpose to be gained with the fruits seems 



to be to cause the seeds to be scattered. This is largely 



accomplished by those animals which use the fruit for food. 



Among the plants useful to man may come first the food 



plants. These may be divided for convenience into cereals, 



vegetables, fruits. Let pupils prepare lists 



Useful to * those that are P r d uce d locally; those 



Man grown in other portions of the country; 



those that are imported from other coun- 

 tries. Have samples of the most important ones for exam- 

 ination. Which part of the plant is used for food? What 

 is its appearance? Where is it produced? Etc. Etc. 

 Treat similarly the textile plants, cotton, flax, ramie; the 

 timber used in building and cabinet making; medicinal 

 plants may also be considered. 



Besides the movements of growth noticed in the growing 

 parts of any plant, there are a number of motions that are 

 very interesting when shown experimen- 

 Movements ta ^ v - Some of these movements would in- 



dicate that plants have something akin to 

 the nervous system in animals. At least, certain parts of 

 plants have sensibility and the motion that results from it. 

 The common sensitive plant, easily grown in a pot or box 

 in the schoolroom, furnishes perhaps the best illustration 

 of plant motion. Working from this as a beginning, pupils 

 will find many examples of flowers that either close their 

 petals or droop their blossoms at night to protect their pol- 

 len from the dew. Many flowers also show a more or less 



