38 FAMILIAR LESSONS IX 1 J OTA XV. 



plish the intention of this volume ; that is, to introduce you 

 to the study of botany, leaving it to the larger works of 

 Wood and Darby to unfold still other wonderful forms of 

 beauty. 



Section III. — Appendages. 



78. Many leaves are furnished at their base with little 

 appendages or organs, separated by the substance of the base 

 of the petiole, called stymies. These frequently fall off as 

 soon as the leaf is developed, and they are said to be cadu- 

 cous ; others remain as long as the leaf, and are termed per- 

 sistent. The rose, hop, and hickory have stipules. 



79. Those little thread-like organs, by which plants 

 attach themselves to other objects, are called tendrils. 

 Every child is familiar with these, as the grape-vine, melon, 

 etc., are liberally supplied with them. 



80. There is a form of leaf that seems in its relation to 

 the true kaf and flower to be a kind of joint property of 

 the two. In many cases, it is hardly to be distinguished 

 from the true leaf ; again, hardly distinguished from the 

 proper flower. Its situation, however, determines it, as it 

 is always found on the peduncle, and never on the petiole. 

 These we call hracts. In the Mexican blanket, Euchroma 

 coccinea, and the Salvia sj^lendissima, the bracts are highly 

 colored, and constitute the whole beauty of the flower; 

 while in the sage, and many other plants, being green, it is 

 with difficulty that the botanist can discriminate as to 

 where the leaves cease to be and the bracts begin. 



81. Many leaves are largely furnished with glands for 

 the secretion of various products. These are found both 

 upon the upper and under surface of the lamina, as well as 



79. What are those little thread-like organs called by which plants cling and 

 climb ? 



80. What can yoa tell me about bracts ? Arc tliey ever colored ? How can 

 they be distinguished ? 



81. What are glands ? Where found ? Office ? 



