86 NEW ZEALAND NATURE-STUDY BOOK 
The Fan, Examine 4 leaf growin ‘om. the stem. 
Ascertain that it consists of a long sword-likys 
above in a point-—though . the upper pa 
almost always split for some distance i 
below in a thickened butt, formed b At 
leaf on either side. of the my ad 
The peels all point outwards ake 
for some distance from the under ze 
keel of a neighbouring one, the : 
on either side by a sheath. 2 
Observe the mae fluid which : ¢ 
end of the leaf. « The dressing: <9 Bs the*ea aves 
interfered with by the presence ons wun 
When it has grown for several } 
long flower-stalk or scape, called 
after, which it produces no mow” 1 
following years ae 
The Flower. © Examine one& 
Ascertain by cutting it that it is not 
bundles of coarse fibres. closely pack 
the sheathing bracts which occur at is 
its: entire length. Observe that eack 
completely envelopes the stalk, and grovy 
of the stalk opposite to that towards whid 
or next lower bract points. | Notice that\ 
between the sheathing bracts diminish in lenge : 
the top of the flower-stalk, where they becom vded 
together. | Notice further that about half way up the 
stalk each bract encloses a small, stout, lateral. branch 
bearing flowers. The bracts, which are at first. green, 
gradually become dark brown in colour, and wither away. 
i 
