1899] APPLIANCES FOR PHYSIOLOGY 265 
6. A germination box. 
A student’s introduction to botany is best made through the 
study of living plants that are doing something characteristic. 
Practically it is difficult, and in city schools generally impossi- 
ble, tomake such studies out of doors, and the best substitute 
| know of is to provide each student at the start with seeds 
whose germination and growth he can watch. Of course these 
can be grown in pots or boxes, in sawdust, cotton wool, etc., 
but after much trial I have found a germination box like jig. 6, 
Fic. 6.—Germination box. 
illed with chopped sphagnum moss, the best apparatus. It is 
Nag in length by six in extreme breadth and five in 
hes h ih a sloping glass side slipping into a groove. The 
in hes 8¢ of the glass is protected by a strip of wood, as shown 
Nes for sure. These boxes are made in quantity at box facto- 
cents — cents each without glass, and cost not over twelve 
Many = Complete. When well painted they may be used 
Blass a r euecession. The great advantage of the sloping 
tip, bin 'S that it allows the roots to be studied, not only the 
The latte, shy branching, but also their geotropic poe 
in the eee are particularly instructive when the glass is herds 
at used fi eH through 45°. In fact, the box is practica y 
Mits the 5 dopa profit by Sachs. The sphagnum not only ee 
Now, ote to grow well, in this being the best pera 
"Sots, and t allows them to be removed without injury to ™e 
ae very clean to work with. The student may keep 
