CONTENTS 



Optional problems are indicated by a star (*). , 



PAOB 



DIRECTIONS TO THE STUDENT .-'/.. . . . . . 11 



THE NATURE AND NEEDS OF LIVING MATTER 



PROBLEM 



I. A study of the common elements in the environment of 



living things ... . .... 17 



* II. Are mineral matter and water present in living things ? . 23 



III. A study of the different groups of foods (nutrients) which 



living organisms need, and how to detect their presence. 23 



IV. An introduction to the nature and work of living organ- 



isms .- .. . . . . -.''. . . 27 



(* EXERCISE) A study of the construction and use of the 



compound microscope . . . . . .... ' . 32 



V. The structure and general properties of living matter . 35 



PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESSES AND ADAPTATIONS IN PLANTS 



VI. The structure and work of the parts of a simple flower . 40 

 VII. A study of cross-pollination and some of the means of 



bringing it about . . ."' . . ' . - *. . 43 



i VIII. A study of fruits . . . . . . . . 48 



IX. The economic value of some fruits . , . . ; . 52 

 X. A study of seeds in their relation to the new plant . . 55 

 XI. A study of the conditions (factors) necessary for awaken- 

 ing (germinating) the embryo in the seed ... 59 

 XII. A study of young plants until they are independent (seed- 

 lings) . . . . . ':. _ . '.'.' . . 61 



* XIII. A study of some methods of plant breeding ... 64 



XIV. A study of the structure and work of roots ... 73 



XV. A study of some of the relations between roots and the soil 78 



* XVI. A study of buds and their relation to the growing plant 89 



XVII. The structure and work of stems 90 



XVIII. A study of leaves in relation to their environment . . 95 



*XIX. Some uses of stems . 106 



7 



