OUTLINES OF NATURE STUDIES. 



THE TERRARIUM. 



A terrarium is easily made from an old berry crate or soap-box ; 

 it should contain three inches of good rich soil and the open sides covered 

 with netting-. Sod with lawn grass will do admirably. Other plants, such 

 as thistles, clover, cabbage, etc., should also find a place in it. There 

 should be a mossy corner where shy creatures may hide. The terrarium 

 is of great value in Nature-Study for in it can be kept many creatures, 

 such as caterpillars, crickets, grasshoppers and locusts, toads, and sala- 

 manders, and many others. It is then possible to study their habits at 

 close range. The secret of making full use of a terrarium is to imitate 

 nature, and to make the conditions for the encaged creatures as natural 

 as possible. 



THE AQUARIUM. 



See O. A. C. Bulletin 134, "Hints on Making Nature Collections," 

 page 7 on the making of an aquarium. 



It requires a little experience and some experimenting to ascertain 

 the right balance between the plants and animals of an aquarium. At 

 the bottom there should be two or three inches of clean sand and a few 

 stones. Only those animals and plants should be chosen which live in 

 quiet water. When the balance is once established, but little attention 

 is required beyond the addition of water. Every school should have an 

 aquarium of some kind. 



I. Plant Societies. 



1. What is a plant society? Why do plants grow in societies? 



2. \\ hat factors (ecological factors) determine the vegetation 

 types by influencing their life and growth? What is a vegetation type? 

 a flora? 



3. Distinguish societies and colonies. 



4. How do plants associate? Find examples. 



5- Explain how societies may differ at different times of the year. 



6. Name some common plant societies, and determine the main fac- 

 tor influencing the type. 



7. Explain clearly : layers, zone, tension line, mesophyte, xerophyte, 

 hydrophyte, and halophyte. 



[3] 



