470 Home Nature-Study Course. 



the seed itself still floats. With the scissors cut off the corky margin 

 of the seed; put it back in the water and note that the seed sinks. This 

 shows that the corky margin is a life preserver to keep the seed aflofit 

 should it happen to fall in a stream. 



References: " Nature-Study and the Child," Scott, p. 371. 



LESSON XXXV. 



A MILKWEED LEAF, 



Object. — To learn from, drawing the shape of the very interesting 

 venation of this beautiful leaf. 



Note the great difference in the colors of the leaves above and 

 below. Note that on the stem the leaves are arranged in pairs, each 

 neighboring pair pointing in opposite directions. 



AUTUMN FLOWERS. 

 LESSON XXXVL 



It is unfortunate for the teacher that many of the showy flowers of 

 autumn belong to the compositae, and are most complicated and highly 

 developed in structure, and quite difficult of comprehension to the child 

 or the beginner in botany. Yet these flowers are common and attract 

 the children and something of interest should be taught concerning them. 

 In the primary grades the learning of these flowers by name is sufficient ; 

 (see Mrs. Wilson's "Elementary Nature-Study," pp, 11-16), But in 

 the upper grades something more should be taught. 



Preliminary Work. — For all these flowers which live in families, villages and 

 cities, the work should begin by using them for bouquets in the schoolroom. The 

 children should know each by name, where it is found, and be generally familiar 

 with the plants on which the flowers grow. Poems may be read about the flowers, 

 or stories told of them, so that the pupils are thoroughly interested in them before 

 the lessons are given. 



THE SUNFLOWER. 

 LESSON XXXVII. 



Purpose. — To lead the pupil to observe flowers closely and to teach 

 him that some which look like simple flowers are composed of a great 

 many little flowers, living together like a family. 



Material. — The great Russian variety planted for the seeds is an 

 excellent type for this study. Among wild species the false sunflower 

 or ox-eye shows the flowerets most distinctly. 



