Look inside ...    First Studies of Plant Life by George F. Atkinson A guide to discovery of the forces at work in the world of plants. Through germinating seeds and varying their growing conditions, students learn by observation the different ways seeds germinate and young plants respond to moisture and light. Further experiments shed light on the manner of nourishment, respiration, and reproduction. The reader is given plenty to ponder since the text often poses questions without supplying answers. The life stories of the sweet pea, oak, ferns, moss, and mushrooms and an account of some of the forces plants have to contend with in their struggle to survive encourage students to continue to read and interpret their surroundings. An engaging introduction to botany for middle school and beyond.  Ages 12-15 259 pages $14.95

Table of Contents

Front Matter

PART I: THE GROWTH AND PARTS OF PLANTS
How Seedlings Come Up from the Ground
How the Seeds Behave When Germinating
The Parts of the Seed
Growth of the Root and Stem
Direction of Growth of Root and Stem
Buds and Winter Shoots
The Full-Grown Plant and Its Parts: I. The Plant
The Full-Grown Plant: II. The Stem
The Full-Grown Plant: III. The Root
The Full-Grown Plant: IV. Leaves
PART II: THE WORK OF PLANTS
How the Living Plant Uses Water To Remain Firm
How the Root Lifts Water in the Plant
How Plants Give Off Water
The Water Path in Plants
The Living Plant Forms Starch
The Work Done by Plants in Making Starch
The Kind of Gas Which Plants Give Off
How Plants Breathe
PART III: THE BEHAVIOR OF PLANTS
The Sensitive Plant
The Behavior of Plants toward the Light
Behavior of Climbing Plants
The Behavior of Flowers
How Fruits Are Formed
How Plants Scatter Their Seed
PART IV: LIFE STORIES OF PLANTS
Life Story of the Sweet Pea
Life Story of the Oak
Life Story of Ferns
The Life Story of the Moss
Life Story of Mushrooms
PART V: BATTLES OF PLANTS IN THE WORLD
The Struggles of a White Pine
Struggles against Wind
Struggles for Territory
Plant Societies

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