112 LABORATORY LESSONS IN GENERAL SCIENCE 



2. Select a good specimen of long scarlet radish (likewise 

 grown in the room), and make a drawing of it as an illustra- 

 tion of a taproot. The root of the dandelion is of this form, 



and trees that have 

 never been trans- 

 planted may have one 

 or several such main 

 roots. Plants with 

 taproots are likely 

 to become strongly 

 embedded. 



3. What is the 

 general purpose (a) of 

 the roots of plants; 

 (6) of their stems ; 

 (c) of their leaves? 

 What may be con- 

 sidered the primary 

 purpose of flowers 

 and seeds? 



4. Examine some 

 stems (stalks) of corn 



and of the grains, and compare their structure with that 

 of some young growths of trees or shrubs. Examine some 

 vigorous shoots of last season's growth of various trees 

 (a) for arrangement of leaves (or leaf scars) on the stem, 

 noting whether it is alternate, opposite, or whorled; (b) for 

 places of the buds with reference to these leaves. Some 

 stems are climbers, as the hop plant, morning glory, etc. ; 

 others are creepers, as the strawberry. The common 



FIG. 52. Taproot of the dandelion. 



