FALL PLANT STUDY. 



363 



base, making the snuggest kind of a cradle for the baby 

 leaves and flowers. In the fall this is more difficult to 

 discover than in the spring, as nearly all of the leaves and 

 flowers have developed, and there are comparatively few 

 babies to be cared for. 



SCHOOLROOM STUDY. 



Study of the Buttercup in the Schoolroom. Roots. Re- 

 view the work of the roots, to hold fast and to absorb 

 water and food. Why does the 

 buttercup hold fast better than 

 the mallow ? Instead of one or 

 two main roots, it has many, 

 spreading out in all directions, 

 each one quite tough. Call at- 

 tention, too, to the great num- 

 ber of fine rootlets. What do 

 they do ? 



Stems. Their work, to lift up 

 the flowers and seeds, and to 

 carry to them water and food. 

 How much we would lose if the 

 golden buttercups and all flow- 

 ers were hidden under the leaves 

 like the mallow ! How pleasant 

 it is to find the mallow blossoms, 

 and their modest, shy relatives 

 hiding where they must be hunted 

 for ! Notice the many branches, 

 to lift each flower where we can 

 see it. The stem has some leaves, but they are much 

 smaller than the leaves springing up from about its base. 

 Their main work is to cover and protect the flower-buds, 

 and to make the flowers look brighter from contrast with 



Fig. 29. Roots of Buttercup. 



