STORAGE OF FOOD 45 
Notrr.—The work set forth in this chapter might be begun in 
Class P., and continued throughout the standard classes. Even the 
youngest child taking up a course of Nature Study can realise that 
in order to grow, aseed must be living. The necessity for supplying 
moisture too, is easily demonstrated, though many of the reasons 
why water is required, are quite beyond the comprehension of the 
average child in the lower standards. Growth in length might be 
investigated in almost any of the classes—though great accuracy 
of measurement can hardly be expected from the younger pupils. 
As in other cases it will probably be found necessary in this con- 
nection in the upper standards to repeat in a more expanded 
and accurate form the work already begun in the lower classes. 
XI.—STORAGE OF FOOD. 
Storage in Roots. If the Pea or Wheat seed be 
planted it will—in favourable weather—come through the 
ground in a few days, and at the end of some weeks will 
have grown into a plant several feet in height. In course 
of time it will produce flowers which will gradually develop 
into the ripened fruit—the whole process of growth from 
the germination of the seed to the ripened fruit occupying 
at most a few months. Plants which grow from seed, 
produce flowers, fruit, and seed in one year, and then die, 
are called annuals. 
If on the other hand Carrot or Parsnip seed be sown, the 
plant after coming through the soil will throw up a tuft 
of leaves and proceed to form a long tap-root which will 
increase in size as the weeks pass. No flowers, and hence 
no seeds will appear; if we wish to obtain seed we must 
leave the plant in the ground until next season, when it 
will send up a long flowering stem, on the ends of which 
the flowers and afterwards the seeds will be borne. If now 
the root be examined, we shall find that it has become 
