LESSONS WITH PLANTS 321 



absorbs the solution of their decayed bodies. These plants 

 grow in tamarack swamps. Dig up some of them, plant in 

 a pot, and grow in the school. They are very pretty and 

 interesting. 



The sweet pea, common peas, and vetches have the mid- 

 rib of the leaves modified into long tendrils that are sensitive 

 to touch. When they reach a support they curl around it 

 and hold the plant up. The common thistle has its leaves 

 covered with spines. A similar thing is seen in many other 

 plants, notably in the Russian "thistle." Bud scales are 

 also modified leaves, serving a special protective purpose. 

 The bud scales on the lilac become true leaves. 



Leaves sometimes function as storehouses of food. This 

 is seen in the thickened bases of the leaves of an onion. 



The older children can understand that the flower parts, 

 the floral envelopes, and even the stamens and pistils are 

 simply modified leaves. Occasionally "green" flowers 

 appear on roses and other plants, which show plainly the 

 reversion of some floral structure to the green leaf -like state. 

 The calyx generally retains its green and leafy appearance. 



The Flower 



The flower is the most beautiful and wonderful organ of 

 a plant. It is also very important in that through it the 

 plant reproduces itself. The flower should be regarded as 

 the seed maker. Generally it is simply thought of as some- 

 thing fragrant and beautiful, and the other fact is lost sight 

 of. A child cannot get the full meaning of the complex 

 process of seed formation, but he can and should know 

 in a general way what a flower is for. 



One of the earliest spring flowers is the Dwarf Trillium 



