556 Home Nature-Study Course. 



the lapping leaves being used by visitors, and another gall gnat takes 

 advantage of this hospitality and breeds in large numbers in these outer 

 chambers. It is well to gather these cones in the winter; examine one 

 by cutting it open to find the owner and place others in a fruit jar with 

 a cover on so as to see the little flies when they shall issue in the spring. 

 (See illustration on first page.) 



References. — " Outdoor Studies," Needham, p. 24. " Manual for 

 the Study of Insects," p. 445. 



LESSON CXXV. 



A WINTER TENANT OF WILLOW LEAVES. 



Purpose. — To get the pupils interested in looking for the larva of 

 the Viceroy butterfly. 



On some of the willows, especially 

 the lower branches, may be found 

 during winter and spring, leaves 

 rolled lengthwise fastened into a cup. 

 This little cup is very full of a cater- 

 pillar which just fits it, the caterpil- 

 lar's head forming the cover to the 

 opening. This is the partially-grown Winter nest of viceroy caterpillar. 



caterpillar of the Vicero}- butterfly. 



It eats off the base of the leaf each side of the mid-rib for about half the 

 length, then rolls the base of the leaf into a cup, lines it with silk and 

 backs into it, there to remain until fresh leaves on the willow in spring 

 afford it new food. 



References. — "Ways of the Six-Footed," Chapter iii. "Manual 

 for the Study of Insects," p. 409. " Moths and Butterflies," Dickerson. 

 p. loi. "Everyday Butterflies," p. 297. "How to Know the Butter- 

 flies," p. 170. 



TULIPS. 



Preliminary Work. — The tulip should be a common flower in ever}^ country 

 garden, for the bulbs are cheap and the cultivation very easy. It is especially fitted 

 for the school grounds and school gardens, since it blossoms in the spring while 

 school is still in session, and the children may have the pleaure of setting out the 

 bulbs in the fall and getting the returns in the spring. Tliere are a great many 

 varieties of these flowers, very early kinds begin to bloom in April, while late 

 ones may be in fullest blossom on Decoration Day; they vary in size and height 

 from the " Little Lady " tulip with flowers hardly larger than a crocus to the tall 

 Darwin and Parrot tulips with stems more than two feet long. The colors also 

 vary from red, yellow, pink and white, to stripes and splashes of many hues. 

 Water color drawings should play a large part in the study of the appearance 

 of tulips. 



