86 THE NATURE STUDY COURSE. 



A method'of observing the development of roots is to plant 

 seeds against a slanting pane of glass. Cut away three- 

 fourths or more of the side of a box. Substitute for the 

 removed side a pane of glass moved inward at the bottom to 

 give it a decided slant. Nearly fill the box with a dark loamy 

 soil that retains water well. The roots in their downward 

 growth spread themselves over the slanting glass and may 

 be easily observed. 



Storage of Seed Food. — Prove experimentally that shrunken 

 seeds do not make such vigorous plants as plump seeds. Cut 

 out the upper rounded end of a dozen grains of corn and 

 plant them. Plant an equal number of unmutilated grains. 

 Compare the seedling plants produced. Infer the use of the 

 stored starch or oil or albumen in the seeds. 



The Parts of Seeds. — Swell seeds to soften them. Observe 

 the coats, the one or more seed lobes (cotyledons) and the 

 embryo. Use peas, beans, morning glory, pumpkin, castor-oil 

 beans, oats, etc. There is an interesting study of the morning- 

 glory seed in McMurry's "Special Methods in Science," pp. 

 174-180. Consult any book on botany for the functions and 

 names of the parts of the seed. For further help see 

 "Public School Nature Study," pages 122-129. 



Buds. — Buds of trees and shrubs in winter and early 

 spring show conspicuous differences. Except two, all the 

 species of maple can be more easily distinguished by their 

 buds than in any other way, except by their fruits. Twigs 

 may be cut off in February or March, put in bottles of water 

 and set in sunny windows. Their development there is more 

 closely observed and better understood than it would be out 

 of doors. Buds of the tulip tree and but ton wood are peculiar; 

 show these, if they can be had, and seek others to illustrate 

 curious features of buds. 



