6o2 Home Nature-Study Course. 



5. Break off a leaf and describe its shape. 



6. What is its color above and below? Describe the markings on 

 the under side. 



7. How do these colors of the leaf on the upper and under surface 

 affect the colors of the general foliage of the tree? 



8. Has the leaf a petiole? Has the leaf of the spruce or the pine 

 a petiole? 



9. Make a drawing of a single leaf and of a twig with some leaves 

 upon it. 



10. What is the color of the tips of the hemlock branches in June 

 and July? 



11. What is the reason for this color? 



Facts for teacher. — The leaves of the hemlock are really arranged in a 

 spiral but it would be difficult for the children to see this. They appear to be 

 arranged opposite each other along the sides of the twig, often in two ranks. 

 The first impression is that the leaves are arranged along the side in one plane, 

 but if they are examined it will be found that this is not the case. There are 

 usually a row of very short leaves on the upper side of the twig lying close to it. 

 The leaf is blunt at the tip, and has a petiole which distinguishes it from the 

 leaves of other evergreens. The leaf is a dark, glossy green above and pale 

 green beneath marked with two white lines extending lengthwise of the leaf. This 

 makes the foliage appear very dark green above and whitish-green below. In 

 June the tip of every twig grows and puts forth new leaves, which are yellowish 

 green in color, and gives a most beautiful appearance to the tree. When thus 

 adorned with growing tips it is our most beautiful evergreen tree. 



LESSON LX. 

 THE HEMLOCK CONE. 



Purpose. — To call the attention of the pupils to the fruit of the heiu- 



lock. 



Observations. — 



1. Are tlie cones borne on the tip or side of the twig? 



2. Compare a hemlock cone to that of any pine tree and describe 

 the difference. 



3. How many scales are there in a hemlock cone? 



4. Where are the seeds borne? 



5. How many seeds are there beneath each scale? 



6. Describe a seed and tell how it is distributed. 



7. How long does it take for a hemlock cone to mature? 



8. When does it fall? 



9. What creatures find the hemlock seeds suitable food? 



10. In May look for the staminate flowers and describe them, and 

 where they are found on the l)ranches? 



11. Make a drawing of a cone, of one scale, of a leaf and of a seed. 



