46 



LEAVES 



and carried to the leaves where the most of the water is trans- 

 pired into the air. (Page 114.) The leaves take carbon dioxide 

 gas (CO 2 ) from the air and as a result of the action of the sun- 

 light on the green coloring matter (chlorophyll) these sub- 

 stances are transformed into starch. This process is known as 



FIG. 32. Ivy leaves on a wall showing the arrangement with very little overlapping. 



photosynthesis (Page 115), which is the most remarkable 

 process in all nature. It is the most important process in plant 

 growth, and without plant life there could be no animal life. 

 . Sunlight and Chlorophyll. The formation of the complex 

 food substances or compounds from the crude materials of the 

 soil and air is accomplished in green plants only and, there- 



