The leaves of the morning-glory consider each other. They stand close
together, but, as you see, they do not crowd.
[Illustration: [Leaves]]
They turn a little to one side that all may have as much room as
possible, for each needs all the light and air it can get.
The leaves also have regard for the roots working away in the dark
earth. Instead of being flat, they have a channel down the middle, a
gutter to convey the rain water from leaf to leaf, and finally to the
ground above the roots.
Some of the roots, it is true, stray away, but some stay close to the
plant and suck up the rain the leaves send them.
The young leaves fold together. They are very tender, and too much cold
or too much heat would harm them; and if they were open, the sun would
draw away too much of their water.
[Illustration: [Leaves]]
So they lie close and snug, and do not open until they have grown large
and strong enough to meet the bright sunshine and the cold night.
Then they open wide; they become green and do their work, which is to
make food for the plant.