630 Junior Naturalist Monthly. 



sixteen pounds, on the long journey through the air at a speed faster than 

 a passenger express train. If you have an opportunity to study domestic 

 geese, I am sure you will find them most interesting. Observe the stiff 

 pinion quills. In the days before gunpowder was known great flocks of 

 geese were raised for the purpose of supplying the armies of bowmen with 

 these quills, the short sides of which were used to feather the arrows ; and 

 before steel pens were made the goose-quill pen was the best known. 

 " Penknives were so called because they were carried and kept sharp 

 for the purpose of making goose-quill pens when needed. Notice the 

 different kinds of feathers on different parts of the body. Are all parts 

 of the body feathered? Watch the action of the strong webbed feet and 

 notice how neatly the web feet folds together when the foot is brought 

 forward and upward. 



The mother goose is usually a gentle creature but the gander is often 

 a cross old fellow, afraid of nothing, and ready to fight at the least 

 provocation. A blow from his beak or a buffeting from bis wings is 

 something to be long remembered. 



PUMPKINS AND SQUASHES. 



Of course you will all want pumpkin or squash pie for dinner on 

 Thanksgiving Day. What would Thanksgiving Day be without a pump- 

 kin pie ? Let us have some pumpkins and squashes in the schoolroom for 

 a lesson this month so that we may learn about them. If we work real 

 hard we will have a much better appetite for all the good things that 

 are coming. 



How many of you have ever seen the yellow blossom on the pumpkin 

 vine? If it were rare, I suppose you would think it very beautiful. 

 Sometime next year I wish you would notice this blossom and write to 

 Uncle John describing it. 



Of course you know that every plant blossoms in order to produce 

 seeds from which other plants will grow. The pumpkin is no exception, 

 and I dare say many of you have seen little pumpkins beginning to form 

 from the blossom. I do not know anything in plant life more interesting 

 than this. What a splendid protection this plant makes for its seeds! 

 Have a pumpkin in the school some day for a lesson, and note the 

 following : 



How many ridges are there on the pumpkin? Notice when you 

 see other pumpkins whether they have the same number. Where do 

 these ridges end? Notice the shape of the strong stem. Some day 

 compare this with the hollow stem of the vine. 



