from them food materials. factoring some food and stealing the 

 The tip of the root is the growing rest. Its seeds are commonly scattered 

 point. Since it is very sensitive and by birds who deposit them in the trunks 

 of course liable to injury, it is protected of trees. The roots of the seedling sink 

 by a root cap, so that it need not be hurt into the trunk and the growing- plant 

 by v stones and other obstacles that it lives very much as a branch of the tree, 

 moves about in its search for moisture. Another class of plants is represented 

 But one of the characteristics of the by the Indian pipe which is the ghoul 

 root tip is extreme irritability, as it is of plant society, for it feeds upon de- 

 called; that is, sensitiveness to near ob- caved vegetation. It is called a sapro- 

 jects. When approaching objects which phyte. 



might check its progress it is able to In contrast to these unprincipled 

 avoid them, either going around them plants are those that lay away food for 

 or passing over or under them. another year. Biennial plants do this, 

 Some plants, unwilling to work for such as the turnip and carrot. The first 

 themselves, employ their roots to collect year they spend in storing up nourish- 

 material already manufactured into food ment in the root which becomes thick- 

 by other plants. These thieving ones ened. The second year they have a 

 are called parasites. Such a one is the start, and are able to produce a plant 

 dodder, which starts as an independent with blossoms and seeds before the frost 

 plant but no sooner does it get above comes. Biennials, then, bloom the sec- 

 ground than it fastens on some other ond year after planting; annuals bloom 

 plant which becomes its host. It then the first year, and afterwards die down 

 sends out rootlets which fasten them- altogether; perennials live on year after 

 selves into the supporting plant and year as do trees and shrubs, 

 suck its sap, on which the dodder lives. MARY LEE VAN HOOK. 

 The mistletoe is half a parasite, manu- 



As we are listening to the birds around our home to-day, 



We hear a carol from the tree that stands across the way. 



A bird is singing sweet and clear, a song that seems to be 



A bit of Heaven granted us so rich in harmony. 



While we stand spell bound, held by song, the voice we pause to hear, 



Changes its music, and we know the Mockingbird is near. 



Child of the Southland, loved by all, we welcome him once more, 



And wonder what new songs complete his this year's repertoire. 



No wonder that this songster dear, in that far Southern clime, 



Is loved by all the colored folk, who hear him all the time ! 



Nor is it strange that cabin lore has many tales to tell, 



Of how he mocks the other birds, and knows their songs so well. 



Old Dinah's story runs like this ; Full many years ago, 



The birds met in convention, their skill in song to show. 



The owl was judge, and hooted forth the cruel, hard decree 



That any bird who could'nt sing, a slave must ever be. 



All tried their best, the lark sang first, and pure and clear the note 



That came with ease and harmony from out his little throat. 



"Good!" said the owl, "we rank you first in purity of tone, 



If any bird can equal this, pray let his skill be shown 



Then all in turn did try their best the lark's song to outdo. 



But all who tried, though well they sang, were ranked as number two. 



Until at last a plain gray bird came forward sweet and shy, 



And opened wide his swelling throat, but knew 'twas vain to try 



For this same bird was tied-of-tongue, and well he knew a song 



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