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Handbook of Nature-Study 



the pollen is shed, or after? What insects do you find visiting the blood- 

 root? 



6. Sketch or describe a bloodroot leaf as it is wrapped around the 

 stem of the flower. How are both flower stem and leaf petiole protected 

 at the base? Describe or sketch a leaf after it is unfolded and open. 

 Describe the difference between the upper and lower surfaces of the leaf. 

 What sort of petiole has it? Break the petiole; what sort of juice comes 

 from it? Describe and measure the leaf later in the season ; do they all 

 have the same number of lobes? 



7. Break a bit off the root of the plant and note the color of the juice. 



8. Compare the bloodroot with the poppies; do you find any resem- 

 blance in habits? 



THE TRILLIUM 



Teacher's Story 

 It would be well 

 for the designer of 

 tapestries to study 

 the carpets of our fcr- 

 ests for his patterns, 

 for he would find there 

 a new carpet every 

 month, quite different 

 in plan and design 

 from the one spread 

 there earlier or later. 

 One of the most 

 beautiful designs from 

 Nature's looms is a 

 trillium carpet, which 

 is at its best when 

 the white trilliums 

 are in blossom. It is 

 a fine study of the ar- 

 tistic possibilities of 

 the triangle when re- 

 duced to terms of 

 leaves, petals and 

 sepals. 



The trillium season 

 is a long one; it begins 

 in April with the 

 purple wake-robin or 

 birthroot, the species 

 with purple, red, or 

 sometimes yellowish 

 flowers. The season 

 ends in June with the 

 last of the great white 



trilliums, which flush pink instead of fading, when old age comes upon 



them. 



The white trillium. A white butterfly visiting the 



flower at the left. 

 Photo by Verne Morton. 



