Teacher's Leaflet. 743 



Observations for the Pupils. — (i). .What do you judge is the length 

 of the largest woodchuck you have ever seen? 



(2). What is the color of the animal? 



(3). What is the color of its fur? Is it long or short, coarse or fine, 

 thick or sparse? 



(4). Is the skin thick or thin? Does it seem loose or close fitting? 



(5). Compare the front and the. hind feet and describe the difference. 



(6). Which are longest, the front or the hind legs? 



(7). Explain how the front and hind feet and legs are adapted by 

 shape to their uses, 



(8). What is the shape of the woodchuck's ear? Can it hear w^ell? 



(9). Why do the ears not become filled with earth when the animal 

 is burrowing? 



(10). How many teeth has the woodchuck and how are they arranged? 



(11). Of what use are the long incisors? 



(12). Describe the eyes. 



(13). Is the tail long or short? How does it assist the animal in 

 sitting up? 



Facts for the Teacher. — A full-grown woodchuck ordinarily measures about two 

 feet in length. Its color is grizzly or brownish, but sometimes blackish in places; 

 the under parts are reddish and the feet black. Its skin is very thick and tough 

 and seems to be very loose fitting. The hind legs are longer than the front legs, 

 as are also the hind feet longer than the front feet. However, both pairs of feet 

 are fitted for digging. In making its burrow the woodchuck digs the earth with 

 its front feet and kicks it out behind with its hind feet. The ears of the woodchuck 

 are roundish and not prominent, but its hearing is acute, and there is a muscular 

 contraction which closes the ears when the animal is digging. It has two large 

 incisors at the i.ont of each jaw and then a bare space and then four grinders on 

 each side of each jaw. Tliese incisors are used for biting off food and also 

 for fighting enemies, as they are able to inflict a very severe wound. The eyes are 

 full and bright, the tail is short and brushy, and it with the hind legs forms a 

 tripod which supports the animal as it sits with the fore feet lifted. 



Lesson III. 



THE V^OODCHUCK's DWELLING. 



Purpose. — To induce the pupils to study a little more closely the bur- 

 row of the ground hog. 



Observations for the Pupils. — (i). How does the woodchuck make 

 its burrow? 



