LESSONS WITH PLANTS 



355 



possible to find some belated plants still in 



flower. If so, the study of the flower will 



prove very interesting. Note the scaly floral 



envelopes, the feathery stigmas, and the 



pendulous anthers. Like the grasses the 

 grains are wind polli- 

 nated. 



Make a brief com- 

 parative study of the 

 botanical features of 

 the different common 

 grains, including rice. 

 Their commercial as- 

 pects can be taken up 

 in the geographical 

 work, but here is a 

 good chance for corre- 

 lation. Refer to the or- FlG - I49 ' GrassFlower - 

 igin of grains and their cultivation in an- 

 cient times, in Babylonia and Egypt. In 

 all civilized nations the cereals are the 

 staff of life. 



Study the wild rice of our northern 

 lakes and swamps. This interesting 

 plant produces grain that was used by 

 the Indians. Aquatic birds, like the 

 wild ducks and geese, and the various 

 marsh birds feed much upon this wild 

 grain. The seeds of many other grasses 



are eaten by many birds. 



Indian corn is worthy of special study, on account of its 



FIG. 150. Indian Corn. 



