2 NEW ZEALAND NATURE-STUDY BOOK 
various parts of the plant, as well as with their names, and will 
emphasize the fact that all plants—at least all those with which 
they will have to deal,—are made up of the same parts. Some 
help may be needed here with the names of the various parts 
(root—stem—leaves, ete.), and in leading children to recognise and 
describe the positions of these. This, however, is unavoidable 
where little children ate concerned—as the study of the subject 
progresses, assistance of the kind can be gradually dropped. 
As it is necessary that pupils should be familiar with the 
general structure of a plant, it is imperative that this portion of 
the subject be mastered before the next lessons are taken up. 
II.—_SEEDS AND THEIR GROWTH. 
The Bean Seed. Preparing the Seed.—lIt is 
necessary that the seeds should be softened before being 
examined ; this is easily done by soaking them in water. 
The length of time they should be allowed to soak will 
depend on the temperature of the water and on the size 
of the seed. If the water be slightly warmed, the 
softening process. will be considerably hastened. Peas 
and beans should be left in water for a couple of days, 
and before being examined should be sufficiently soft to be 
cut with a knife. 
Examining the Seed. The Outer Surface of a 
Bean Seed.—Observe the flattened oval shape of the 
seed, with a depression at one 
end. Notice the black scar, 
hilum, which extends along the 
edge from the depression. Pro 
BS cure a bean pod, if possible, and 
Fig, 1.—Seed of Bean. notice that the scar is the place 
of attachment to the pod. Re- 
move all moisture from the bean by wiping it with a 
dry cloth, and then squeeze it gently by pressing 
