572 Home Nature-Studv Course. 



make a drawing of the tree which they are studying, as this will fix its general 

 shape in their minds. 



LESSON XXXIII. 



THE PINE NEEDLES. 



Puropsc. — To teach the pupils that the needles are the leaves of the 

 pine tree and that they differ in different species. 



Material. — A twig from every kind of pine tree in the locality, also 

 twigs of spruce and hemlock. Let each pupil have a specimen of the 

 pine which is being studied. 



Observations. — 



1. How long are the needles? 



2. How many in a bundle? 



3. Is the bundle enclosed in a little sheath at the base? 



4. Are the bundles grouped in distinct tassels? 



5. Are the needles straight or curved? 



6. Are the seeds fine and flexible or coarse and stiff? 



7. If you have a common lens cut a needle across and examine the 

 cut end describing its shape. 



8. Do the pines shed their leaves as do other trees? If so when? 



Facts fur teacher. — The length of the pine needles varies with different species 

 and, therefore, the leaves of different pines should be compared and measured. 

 The number of needles in a bundle distinguishes our common pines from each 

 other. All the pines have their bundles of young needles enclosed in a sheath at 

 the base but the needles of the soft pines, like our White Pine, lose this sheath 

 as soon as they are fully developed; and the hard pines, like our Pitch and Red 

 pine, retain it. In the White Pine the bundles of needles are grouped into grace- 

 ful tassels but the Pitch Pine has the bundles all along the branches. The leaves 

 of the White Pine are fine and straight, and should be contrasted with the leaves 

 of the Austrian Pine, which are stiff and coarse. Seen in cross sections the leaf 

 of the White Pine is triangular while that of the Austrian is semi-circular. The 

 pines shed their leaves, as do other trees, but not all at once. As fast as the 

 leaves mature and grow old they fall to the ground, and make a soft carpet so 

 characteristic of pine forests. 



LESSON XXXIV. 



THE PINE CONE. 



Purpose. — To lead the pupil to understand the structure of a cone. 



Material. — A cone not yet ripe and a mature one opened. As the 

 pines re(|uire at least two seasons for maturing their cones, the two cones 

 can be found on the same tree. 



Observations. — 



1. What is the cone? 



2. ^^'hat sort of flower makes the cone? 



3. How many scales are there in the cone you are studying? 



4. Show by sketch or description the shape of one of the cone scales. 



5. How are these scales arranged in the cone? 



