Summary.—From the above paragraphs it is seen that a leaf performs the following functions: (1) breathing, or the taking in of oxygen and passing off of carbon dioxide; (2) starch-making, with the incidental passing out of oxygen; (3) formation of proteins, with their digestion and assimilation to form new tissues; and (4) the transpiration of water.
[14] The "rubber plant" leaf is an easily obtainable and excellent demonstration.
[15] Immediate success with this experiment will be obtained if the water has been previously charged with carbon dioxide.
Reference Books
elementary
Hunter, Laboratory Problems in Civic Biology. American Book Company.
Andrews, A Practical Course in Botany, pages 160-177. American Book Company.
Coulter, A Textbook of Botany, pages 5-40. D. Appleton and Company.
Coulter, Plant Life and Plant Uses. American Book Company.
Dana, Plants and their Children, pages 135-185. American Book Company.