576 



NATURE STUDY. 



out from between the two thick halves or cotyledons of the 

 bean, and always grows upward, not downward. 



Watch also the seeds planted in the earth. Note how 

 they come up out of the ground, always with the radicle, 

 or part of the stem below the cotyledons, arched ; how this 

 arch, acting like a wedge, pushes apart the soil, and some- 

 times lifts up large pieces of dirt ; how, as it grows, it pulls 

 the cotyledons backward out of the ground, with their lower 

 (now upper) or united ends always uppermost ; how the 

 seed coat is pushed off, or splits and drops off; how the 

 arched stem slowly straightens, turning the cotyledons up- 

 ward ; how the little bud or plumule with its two folded 

 leaves grows out from between the cotyledons, turns greener 

 and begins to unfold. 



After the children have 

 observed and understand the 

 facts fairly well, ask why the 

 stem is bent to push more 

 readily through the ground, 

 to make a path for the 

 cotyledons and delicate bud 

 and leaves between them; 

 and why the cotyledons are 

 pulled out backward to 

 keep the soil from injuring 

 the bud. 



Summary. Draw on the blackboard, directed by children 

 as far as possible, two or three stages in the early growth 

 of the bean in the soil. Perhaps some of the children 

 can draw these after the teacher has shown them how. 

 They should not copy the teacher's drawing, but should 

 draw from a growing bean. Pictures made by the children 

 on blackboard on a large scale with a free-arm movement 

 are much better for the little folks than little cramped pic- 



fig. 67. Germination of Bean. 



