54 NEW ZEALAND NATURE-STUDY BOOK 
new runner is formed. Below the leaves a number of 
roots are given off as in most creeping stems. The 
strawberry differs from some others in that the same 
branch does not connect the shoots together. 
Note.—Some of the work outlined in this chapter has already 
been referred to, and has probably been taken up and mastered by 
the pupils. As in other cases a summary of the work done in this 
connection will furnish an excellent introduction to lessons on the 
stem. In dealing with the thickening of stems, a little judicious 
questioning will draw out the necessity for the process, the details 
of which to a large extent will have to be supplied. Pupils can 
see in good transverse sections the rings of growth, can determine 
the position of the young wood, and can form a rough estimate of 
the age of the plant. But the exact positions of the cambium and 
bast and the way in which the activity of growth is promoted, 
cannot at this stage be observed by pupils for themselves. So too 
for the bark, pupils can be led to understand the conditions which 
limit its growth and cause it to present the appearance usually 
seen in the older plants. But to discover all this by observation, 
if indeed it could be so discovered by the pupils, would mean an 
immense demand on the time available for the subject. 
In dealing with underground stems the tuber should be 
examined first, the pupils are more familiar with it; besides, the 
reasons for calling it a stem and not a root are easily and readily 
grasped by children. Observations might be made on this part of 
the plant in the Infant Department. Pupils should be required to 
plant potato “‘ sets” with and without ‘eyes,’ and in this way 
learn that these represent buds. Having once grasped the idea of 
an underground stem as distinct from a root, the other forms 
recommended will not present much difficulty. A number of other 
bulbs in addition to those mentioned, should be examined, and if 
it be thought desirable, corms of the Crocus and Gladiolus as well. 
A good deal of attention should be directed to the form of under-: 
ground stem known as the rhizome, and its importance as a means 
of enabling grasses to spread should be made clear. A garden 
connected with the school would help perhaps more than anything’ 
else in enabling pupils to understand the details treated of in this 
and other chapters. 
