48 PRACTICAL COURSE IN BOTANY 
one next above it has formed? When is growth most rapid? Reverse the 
position of a number of seedlings that have just begun to sprout and watch 
what will happen. After afew days reverse again and note the effect. 
Frias. 63, 64.— Root of bean seed- Fias. 65, 66.—Stem of bean seedling, 
ling, measured to show region of measured to show region of growth: 65, 
growth: 63, early stage of germina- early stage of growth; 66, later stage. 
tion ; 64, later stage. 
EXPERIMENT 36. CAN PLANTS GROW AND LOSE WEIGHT AT THE SAME 
TIME ? — Remove the scales from a white 
lily bulb, weigh them, and lay in a warm, 
but not too damp place, away from the 
light. After a time bulblets will form at 
the bases of the scales. Weigh them again, 
and if there has been any loss, account 
for it. The experiment may be tried by 
allowing a potato tuber or a hyacinth bulb 
to germinate without absorbing moisture 
enough to affect its weight. 
EXPERIMENT 37. Is THE DIRECTION OF 
GROWTH A MATTER OF ANY IMPORTANCE? 
— Plant in a pot suspended as shown in 
Fig. 67, a healthy seedling of some kind, 
Fias.67,68.—Experimentshow- two or three inches high, so that the 
ing the direction of growth instems: lyumule shall point downward through 
67, young potato planted in an in- : 
verted position ; 68, the same after the drain hole and the root upward into 
an interval of eight days. the soil. Watch the action of the stem 
