Plant Life 



493 



top" to her head. All the names should be taught gradually by con- 

 stant unemphasized use on the part of the teacher; and if the child 

 does not learn the names naturally then do not make him do it 

 unnaturally. 



Blade 



' fLeaf. 



Midrib 



Petiole 



Stipules 



A leaf with parts named. 



The lesson on the garden, or horseshoe geranium with single 

 flowers, is the one to be given first in teaching the structure of a flower 

 since the geranium blossom is simple and easily understood. 



TEACH THE USE OF THE FLOWER 



ROM first to last the children should be taught that the 

 object of the flower is to develop seed. They should 

 look eagerly into the maturing flower for the growing 

 fruit. Poetry is full of the sadness of the fading 

 flower, while rightly it should be the gladness of the 

 flower that fades, because its work is done for the 

 precious seed at its heart. The whole attention of the 

 child should be fixed upon the developing fruit instead 

 of the fading and falling petals. 



'In all places then and in all seasons, 

 Flowers expand their light and soul-like wings, 

 Teaching us by most persuasive reasons, 

 How akin they are to human things." 



LONGFELLOW. 



