Wild-Flower Study 



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these urns, we may see the brown seeds which are tossed by the winter 

 winds far and near. The young plants develop into vigorous rosettes 

 during the late summer and autumn, and thus discreetly pass the winter 

 under the snow coverlet. 



LESSON CXXVIII 

 THE EVENING PRIMROSE 



Winter rosette of evening primrose. 

 Photo by Verne Morton. 



Leading thought Some flowers have developed the habit of relying on 

 the night-flying insects for carrying their pollen. The evening primrose 

 is one of these; its flowers open in the evening and their pale yellow color 

 makes them noticeable objects in the twilight, and even in the dark. 



Method The form of the evening primrose may be studied from 

 plants brought to the schoolroom ; but its special interest lies in the way 

 its petals expand in the evening, so the study should be continued by the 

 pupils individually in the field. This is one of the plants which is an 

 especially fit subject for the summer note-book; but since it blossoms 

 very late and the plants are available even in October, it is also a con- 

 venient plant to study during the school year. The garden species is 

 well adapted for this lesson. 



Observations i. Look at the plant as a whole. How tall is it? Is 

 the stem stiff and straight? Where do you find it growing? Does it 

 grow in the woods ? 



2. Are the leaves near the base the same shape as those at the top of 

 the plant? What is their shape? Are the edges toothed? What is 

 there peculiar about the veins? How do the leaves join the stem? How 



