LESSONS WITH PLANTS 321 



bsorbs the solution of their decayed bodies. These plants 

 row in tamarack swamps. Dig up some of them, plant in 



pot, and grow in the school. They are very pretty and 

 iteresting. 



The sweet pea, common peas, and vetches have the mid- 

 fa of the leaves modified into long tendrils that are sensitive 

 ) touch. When they reach a support they curl around it 

 nd hold the plant up. The ■ common thistle has its leaves 

 Dvered with spines. A similar thing is seen in many other 

 lants, notably in the Russian "thistle." Bud scales are 

 Iso modified leaves, serving a special protective purpose, 

 'he bud scales on the lilac become true leaves. 



Leaves sometimes function as storehouses of food. This 

 ; seen in the thickened bases of the leaves of an onion. 



The older children can understand that the flower parts, 

 le floral envelopes, and even the stamens and pistils are 

 imply modified leaves. Occasionally "green" flowers 

 ppear on roses and other plants, which show plainly the 

 aversion of some floral structure to the green leaf-like state, 

 ^he calyx generally retains its green and leafy appearance. 



The Flower 



The flower is the most beautiful and wonderful organ of 

 plant. It is also very important in that through it the 

 lant reproduces itself. The flower should be regarded as 

 le seed maker. Generally it is simply thought of as some- 

 ling fragrant and beautiful, and the other fact is lost sight 

 f. A child cannot get the full meaning of the complex 

 rocess of seed formation, but he can and should know 

 1 a general way what a flower is for. 

 One of the earliest spring flowers is the Dwarf Trillium 



