544 Home Nature-Study Course. 



Purpose. — To secure from the children as accurate observation and 

 description as possible of the shape, color and markings of this leaf, and 

 to help them to realize in some degree the value of all leaves. 



Material. — A leaf or twig on each pupil's desk. 



Observations for pupils: 



1. What is the general shape of the whole leaf? 



2. Is the stem in its center? 



3. Do all the leaves have the same number of leaflets? 



4. Do you find any leaves with an even number of leaflets? 



5. What is the shape of the leaflets? 



6. Are they narrowed at base or tip? 



7. Are their edges toothed or even? 



8. Are their veins straight or branching; large and prominent, or 

 slight and unnoticeable? 



9. Is the surface of the leaves smooth, or rough, or hairy? 



10. Is there much difference between the appearance of the upper 

 and under sides of the leaf? 



11. What is the character of the stem: slender and pliant, or very 

 stiff and strong ? Do they taper or grow larger at the point where leaflets 

 are attached? 



12. Break a leaf-stem. Is it green throughout? What can you see 

 in the center ? 



13. Is there anything at the base of the stem, between it and the 

 twig on which it grew ? What do you think it may become next season ? 



14. Do the leaves grow on opposite sides of the twigs or alternately? 



15. What color do they turn in autumn? 



16. When they fall do they drop entire, or do leaflets and stem fall 

 apart ? 



Facts for the teacher. — When laid flat the general shape of the leaf is nearly 

 circular, but the two outer leaflets nearest the stem are much smaller than the 

 others, the next pair are intermediate in size, while the three between are about 

 equal, though often the central one is largest of all. Tliis arrangement brings the 

 stem far to one side of the circle. Occasionally a stem bearing six leaflets is 

 found, but more often the division is three, five, seven or nine, the majority being 

 seven. The shape of the leaflet is a reversed oval, the stem being attached at the 

 smaller end. Their edges are irregularly toothed, and the veins are large, straight 

 and lighter in color than the rest, so that each leaflet has a strongly ribbed appear- 

 ance. The upper surface is smooth and very dark green, while the under side is 

 slightb^ roughened and is lighter in color. 



The stem is long, strong, cylindrical for most of its length, but enlarging both 

 where it is attached to the twig and at its junction with the leaflets. When cut or 

 broken across it shows a \voody outer part encasing a white pith and in the center 

 may be plainly seen, even with the unaided eye, a bundle of strong fibers as many in 

 number as the leaflets. These hold the leaflets to the stem and the stem to the 

 twig; also they are channels by which the sap is carried from the twigs to the 

 leaves. At the base of the stem is a bud which begins to form as soon as the flowers 



