6oo Home Nature-Sti'dy Course. 



white bell is the seed-vessel or ovary, which is three-celled. The flower-stem is 

 slightly flattened, with two edges, and the flower springs from a sheath or spathe. 

 The leaves are long and grass-like, grooved in the center, and though they come 

 with the flowers, they continue to grow after the blossoms are gone, not dymg 

 down till midsummer. The bulb is very small and is a tunicated or coated one. 

 It has a very acrid taste. Snowdrops love cool and shaded places and cannot 

 endure the bright sun. They take no harm from crowding and should be set 

 closely for best effect. They should be planted in the autumn before the ground 

 freezes. 



THE CROCUS. 



The crocus, like the snowdrop, cannot wait for frost and snow to be 

 gone before it pushes its bright blossoms above the ground. For this 

 reason it is a favorite of all who are acquainted with it, and it sliould 

 be more commonly known and planted, for the bulbs are very cheap. 



LESSON LVIII. 



FLOWER, LE.\F AND BULB. 



Purpose. — To help the children to appreciate the beauty and bravery 

 of the plant and cause them to want to own and cultivate it for them- 

 selves. 



Material. — A flower and leaf in the hands of each pupil and a few 

 bulbs. 



Observations by pupils. — 



1. What color are the flowers? 



2. Do they grow singly or several together? 



3. How many parts in the perianth or flower-cup? 



4. Count the stamens and if you can, draw a picture of one with its 

 anther or pollen-box on its tip. 



5. Describe the pistil which is in the center of the flower. 



6. Do you see any ovary or seed-box? 



7. Describe the leaves. 



8. Is tlic bulb solid or in coats? 



Facts for teacher. — Crocus blossoms are very gay in color ; they may be 

 white, yellow, orange, purple, lavender, or stripped white and purple, and always 

 surprise one by the suddenness with which they appear. The bloom is profuse, 

 from one to four blossoms being folded in each sheath, and each bulb producing 

 from five or six to more than a dozen flowers. The bright colored petal-like 

 sepals are six in number and there arc three stamens; the single pistil divides 

 into three stigmas with " ruffled " tips. The seed-vessel is long and hidden at 

 the bottom of the flower, so that it is not often noticed, as the plant is propa- 

 gated by its corms. The seeds are very abundant and look like tiny pearls, which 

 roll out as the sheath is torn apart. This sheath encloses the leaves and flowers, 

 which are tightly rolled within; it is very strong, white and papery, looking as it 

 breaks through the ground like a pointed tooth or bone. As soon as it reaches 

 the sunlight, it unfolds and the blossoms open, at first outgrowing the leaves, 

 which arc slender, gnen blades, each with a white stripe down its center. 



