
76 THE WORK OF PLANTS 
them again. They have regained their rigidity. In- 
stead of being limp and flabby they are firm and plump. 

Fig. 104. Make-believe cell, with sugar 
solution inside, lying in water. 
water and becomes firm. 
It appears from this that they - 
have regained their firmness 
\\ by taking in or’ absorbing 
water. The slice of beet, like 
all parts of plants, 1s-:made up 
of a great many cells, as they 
are called. These cells are 
like tiny boxes packed close 
together. Hach one absorbs 
Perhaps the following experi- 
ment will help us to understand how this takes place. 
A make-believe plant cell. Fill a small, wide-mouthed 
vial with a sugar solution made by dis- 
solving a heaping teaspoonful of sugar in 
a half cup of water. Over the mouth tie 4 
firmly a piece of a bladder membrane. 
(The footnote, page 90, 
get a bladder membrane.) Be sure that, 
as the membrane is tied over the open 
end of the vial, the sugar solution fills it. 
Sink the vial in a vessel of fresh water 
tells how to 






Fie. 105. Make-be-- 
and allow it to remain twenty-four hours. _ lieve cell after 
Then take it out and set it on the table. 
taking in water. 
The membrane which was straight across at first is 
now bulged out because of inside pressure. 

