THE LEAVES 85 



and you will find that it has few feeding roots for its 

 size. (See fig. 61). Now, nitrogen is an important 

 food, and in the ordinary plant can be got only from 

 the root. The sundew makes up for its poor root by 

 adding nitrogen in the form of flies. Australia is pro- 

 bably richer in sundews than any other land. For 

 this reason, and on account of the beauty and interest 

 of the plant, the sundews should be carefully studied. 



Questions and Exercises. — 



(1) If the outer edge of n, liaiiging gum tree leaf grows faster 

 tlian the inner edge, what must be the effect on the shape of the 

 leaf? 



(2) Compare the shape of the opposite leaflets of tlie Japanese 

 anemone witli the shape of the end leaflet. Compare elm leaves. 



(3) Sow thickly some seed, and allow the seedlings to grow up 

 without thinning. This will show liow crowded plants suffer in 

 the struggle to get light and air. 



(4) One or two Cape weeds should be kept under observation, in 

 early spring, to see how they smother the smaller plants. 



(5) Scholars living near the sea should note the fleshiness of 

 many of the coast-plants as compared with similar inland plants. 



(6) The hairs of the sundew will not close upon sand or other 

 tilings that the leaf cannot eat. Test one or two plants. 



(7) Name any of the acacias that have flattened leaf -stalks 

 instead of leaves. 



Composition Exercise. — Write the story of a gum tree, from 

 the time when it rises out of the ground to the time when it rises 

 high above the scrub. 



Drawing Exercise. — Draw side by side fa) young and old 

 leaves of a gum tree ; (bj the lower and upper leaves of an ivy 

 plant. 



