Teachers' Leaflet. 



599 



elude the search until the tall stem uplifts the purplish flowers, or perhaps a 

 head of bulblets no bigger than wheat kernels and wearing " whiskers " for each 

 is tipped with a hairy appendage. This pesky weed is an emigrant from Europe. 

 Our native meadow garlic is not so rank nor so troublesome. Its flowers are 

 pinkish white, and its bulblets also have the hairy whiskers. 



Leek and garlic are also cultivated but they are different from the wild varie- 

 ties. There are also the shallots, small, oblong, onions which always multiply, 

 and chives, with rosy or purple flowers beautiful enough for an ornamental border. 



THE SNOWDROP. 



Every one loves the snowdrop; its delicacy and fragrance coinbined 

 with its bravery in facing the freezing winds and even the snows of 

 March, never fail to awaken wonder and delight. 



LESSON LVIL 



LEAF, FLOWER AND BULB, 



Purpose. — To lead the children to ob- 

 serve closely and in detail the beauty of 

 this brave, little flower. 



Material. — A few blossoms and leaves 

 and a bulb. 

 Observations by pupils. — 



1. What is the color of the blossom? 



2. Are the three white sepals that form 

 the bell seperate or joined at their bases? 



3. How many segments in the little 

 greenish tube which forms the clapper of 

 the bell? 



4. Gently separate the parts of the 

 tube ; how many stamens are brought to 

 view? 



5. Is the pistil longer or shorter than 

 the stamens? 



6. Where is the seed-box or ovary ? 



7. What is the shape of the flower-stem? Do the blossoms grow 

 singly or more than one on a stem? 



8. Describe the leaves. 



9. Is the bulb solid or in layers? 



Facts for teachers. — The snowdrop belongs to the Amaryllis family and re- 

 semblances may be traced between it and its gorgeous relatives. The flower has 

 three waxen, white, petal-like sepals, which form the drooping bell ; three other 

 segments with two-lobed tips form the green tube in the center; all six are dis- 

 tinctly separate. Six stamens are enfolded by the tube and a pistil with a long, 

 straight style extending beyond the stamens. The round swelling back of the 



The Snowdrop. 



