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NATURE STUDY MADE EASY 



Plants climb by means of tendrils, or 

 little stems thrown out for that purpose. 

 Show common pea plant. 



Some plants climb by means of rootlets, 

 which run into any hole or crevice where 

 they may root and get support. Ivy 

 climbs by roots. Show Virginia creepers 

 with little cushions on end of tendrils. 



Some plants climb by thorns, like the 

 wild rose. 



Wild rose has thorns which catch on 

 neighboring plants that hold it up to sun 

 and light. 



Have children notice hairs on stem. 

 What are they? Use ? Thorns or prickles 

 on stem. Use? (Protection against in- 

 sects, animals.) 



Elicit use of stem and plant. 



III. Show how rootlets feed roots, 

 which send sap to leaves through stem. 

 How are leaves held up to sun and air? 

 Why should they be so held up ? 



Value of stem of plant to man. Think 

 of sugar cane. Show cane; dried sap of 

 sugar palm. Show maple syrup drawn 

 from stem of maple tree. Camphor from 

 stem of camphor tree of Japan. Quinine 

 from stem of cinchona. 



Strong saps obtained from trunks of 

 trees tar and turpentine from pine tree ; 

 cork from bark of cork trees ; flax from 

 flax plant; rubber, gums, resins, from 

 various trees. 



Stems vary in shape. Stems of plants 

 generally round. 



Show stem of mint plant (angular). 



Show stem of sweet pea. 



STEM OF NIGHTSHADE 



III. USE 

 OF STEM 

 (a) To plant 



(b) To man 



Holds plant to light. 



Holds plant to air. 



Carries sap from roots. 



Produces leaf buds. 



Food. 



Medicines. 



Manufactures. 



STEM OF WALLFLOWER STEM OF ROSE 



