CHAPTER FIRST. 



THE LEAF. 



EXERCISE I. 

 The Parts of Leaves. 



GATHER a variety of leaves, and begin their study by 

 comparing them with the pictures and statements which 

 follow. 



A leaf, in its most highly-developed state, consists of 

 three parts (Fig. i) : The flattened portion is called the 



FIG. i. 



FIG. 2. 



lamina, or blade ; a narrower portion, connecting the 

 blade with the plant, is termed the petiole, or leaf-stalk 

 (Figs. 2 and 3,^) ; and a third portion, at the base of the 

 petiole, which is either in the form of a sheath (Fig. 2, d), 



