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Lesson I. — The Eggs. (Fig. 27.) 



The teacher having found the egg mass should show it to the 

 pupils and let them, during play hours, collect some for them- 

 selves. Say that they are eggs, but explain no farther. Get 

 the children to examine the egg masses and ask the following 

 questions: 



On what portion of the trees are these egg masses found ? 



What is the shape of the egg mass ? (Bring out the fact 

 that they look like a portion of the twig swollen or budded.) 



What is the color of the egg mass ? 



Is there much difference in color between the egg mass and 

 the branch? 



Has this similarity in color any use ? (Develop the idea 

 that the shape and color of the egg mass makes it resemble the 

 twig so closely as to hide it from birds or any animal that 

 would be likely to eat the eggs.) 



Does the egg mass shine ? 



Why does it shine ? 



Ans. Because there is a coat of varnish around the eggs. 



Why was varnish put around the eggs? (Get the answer by 

 asking why varnish is put upon wood. Varnish is put around 

 the eggs to preserve them and keep them dry during the rains 

 and snows of autumn and winter.) 



If the eggs are near the hatching period the varnish will have 

 scaled off, revealing the tiny white eggs ; if not, let the teacher 

 remove the varnish with a knife or pin, thus exposing the eggs. 

 If the teacher has a lens the children should view the eggs 

 through it. Exhibit the picture. Fig. 28, which represents 

 the eggs greatly enlarged, showing the net work of cement which 

 holds them in place. Ask the children to compare the shape 

 of these eggs with that of bird eggs, and bring out the fact that 

 these are thimble-shaped. Then ask the pupils to guess what 

 sort of a mother laid these eggs, cemented them fast with a net 

 work and then covered them with a coat of waterproof varnish. 

 After sufficient interest is aroused on this point, say to them : 

 **One day last July a little moth or miller was flitting about the 



