JANUARY 133 



moisture come from ? What happens to our breath on 

 a cold day ? Bring a pitcher of ice water into the room. 

 What has happened ? Let some one breathe on the cold 

 window pane. What has happened ? Hold a cold slate 

 above boiling water. What happens to spectacles in 

 going from the cold into a warm room ? 



Which is colder, your breath or the blackboard ? 

 Your breath or the cold air ? The air of the room or 

 the pitcher ? YQur breath or the window pane ? The 

 slate or the steam ? The air of the room or the glass of 

 the spectacles ? 



When only does the air give up its moisture ? On 

 what is this moisture deposited ? 



Plants : 



If there was not sufficient time in December for the 

 study of the commoner evergreens, continue their study 

 in January. If possible, begin in this month the study 

 of the germination of seeds.' 



Germination of Seeds : 



Facts : 



Usually seeds will not germinate until they are per- 

 suaded that winter has passed and gone and that spring 

 has really come. To make them believe this they must 

 be given plenty of moisture and warmth. Water softens 

 the food stored round or in the baby plant by its provi- 

 dent mother, allows the ferment to act Avhich changes it 

 into food immediately available for growth, viz., sugar. 



The first visible phenomenon of germination is the 

 absorption of water and consequent swelling of the seed. 

 Then the coat is broken by the radicle, which is pointed 

 at the tip that it may more easily penetrate the ground. 



