Some of the pelargoniums decorate their leaves with horseshoes. All are
in the habit of folding their leaves fan-like in the bud. When they grow
large these folds straighten out. It is a good thing to be folded up
fan-like in the bud; the leaf then takes up less room, and is kept snug
and safe until it grows strong enough to care for itself. The
pelargonium indulges in large stipules. These are green, leaf-like
bodies growing on the leaf stalk where it is attached to the stem of the
plant. They fold over the young leaf and protect it; but after the leaf
comes out of the motherly arms of the stipules and stands up on a long
stem, the work of the stipules is done, and gradually they fade and
wither away.
[Illustration: [Pelargonium]]
Most pelargonium leaves are covered with a fine coat of hairs. In the
warm countries where pelargoniums grow wild they need a coat of down to
prevent the sun from scorching them.
As long as there is plenty of water in the leaves the sun cannot harm
them, no matter how warmly it shines; but if it can draw out the water,
then the leaf must fade. The coat of hairs for one thing prevents the
water from evaporating too rapidly. Thus the pelargonium does not wear
its fuzzy coat to protect it from the cold, but from the sun. The hairs
also prevent the rain or dew from stopping up the breathing pores of the
leaf.
Most pelargonium leaves have a habit of using perfumery of one kind or
another. They make it themselves out of the food they find in the earth
and the air. The rose geraniums we think are particularly successful in
this respect.
Why do you suppose the pelargoniums perfume their leaves?
Perhaps it is to prevent animals from grazing them, for animals do not
like to eat strong-scented things, even if to our senses the odor is
agreeable. If this _is_ the reason, we are glad the pelargoniums
selected a perfume that we can enjoy.
We think there may be some such reason for the fragrance of the
pelargonium, because plants are never wasteful. They make only what will
be useful to them in some way. They love to be beautiful, but are never
satisfied unless theirs is a useful beauty. The fragrance of the leaves,
however, may be due to some cause and useful for some purpose that we
know not of.
[Illustration: [Pelargonium]]