134 NATURE-STUDY LESSONS. 



20. Point out the similarities and differences between 

 oats and timothy or other grass plants : 



(a) As to leaves. 

 (d) As to flowers. 

 (c) As to roots. 



21. How does the stem of a grass plant differ from 

 that of a sedge? 



XXXV.-PLANTAIN-A WEED. 



Collect a number of plaintain-seeds and sow them in a box. Observe 

 the rapid growth of the young plants. Observations should also be made 

 in waste-places and in the lawns of the neighborhood. 



A. The Koots. 



1. Dig up a number of the plants both from the box 

 and lawns or waste-places. 



2. (a) Describe the roots and infer why these plants 



are vigorous growers. 

 (d) Infer the effect of this vigorous growth upon 

 the richness of the soil. 



B. The Leaves. 



3. (a) Describe a leaf. 



(d) Where do the leaves grow upon the plant? 



4. Discover the use of the threads that are easily 

 observed by breaking the stem of the leaf (petiole). 



5. What is their effect upon the grass and other plants 

 overshadowed by them ? 



6. Give two reasons why a plantain is not a desirable 

 plant to have growing in a lawn or garden. 



Plants which are out of their proper places and so interfere with the 

 growth of other plants are weeds. 



7. Compare the effect of a plantain on a lawn with that 

 of a dandelion. 



