32 NATURE STUDY MADE EASY 



ner sends down little buds. These buds produce roots, which 

 feed new strawberry plants. The difference between a tendril 

 and a runner is that the runner produces on its tip a leaf bud, 

 while the tendril does not. 



Here is a strange truth: some stems do not appear above 

 ground. Like the root, they grow under the ground. They are 

 called underground stems. 



The potato, which we all know so well, is the tuber of an under- 

 ground stem. It stores up in itself nourishment for the new leaf 

 buds, which will later produce new potato plants. 

 You have seen these leaf buds on the potato. 

 They are called "eyes." 



The onion, too, is an under- 



SEED PIECE OF 



POTATO ground stem, full of nourishment 



for its new plant. We take advantage of this 

 stored nourishment, and cook it for our own 

 table. So you see underground stems are useful articles of 

 food. 



In some other lessons we will talk again about stems. 



TOPICS FOR COMPOSITION 



Why stems grow erect. 

 Why stems climb. 

 How they climb. 

 Why stems creep. 

 Underground stems. 



