CHAPTER XI. 



THE BEAN FAMILY. 



293. The Study of Typical Plants. In the following 

 chapters we shall study various common plants as " types " 

 of certain orders or families. Each of these plants 

 should be studied throughout its life history. The 



best way is, of course, to make repeated visits to the growing 

 plants at short intervals, day by day (and at different times 

 of the day in some cases), week by week, month by month, 

 throughout the year. In any case more especially if these 

 frequent visits cannot conveniently be made dig up the 

 smaller plants and keep them under continuous observation, 

 indoors or in a garden, making notes and sketches of the 

 various stages in the progress of the plant's growth and 

 development. Sow the ripe seeds of each plant and study 

 the stages of germination and the growth of the seedling 

 into the mature plant. Carry out all the experiments 

 mentioned in connection with each plant and any others 

 which suggest themselves as being likely to yield answers to 

 the questions arising from the study of the plant itself. 



Many plants which do not grow wild in Britain, or are 

 rarely met with as wild plants, are grown in gardens, or can 

 be bought from nurserymen. If possible get the " roots " or 

 bulbs and grow the plants, or sow their seeds. 



294. Among the many points to be attended to, the following may 

 be mentioned : 



(1) The habit (form and general appearance) of the plant e.g. tree, 

 shrub, climbing, creeping, rosette-form, erect herb, bulb-forming and 

 the advantages and disadvantages of the habit. 



(2) The habitat (place of growth) e.g. hedge-row, field, marsh, ditch, 

 pond, stream, wood and the adaptations to the habitat. 



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