124 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [13:3— Mar., 1917 



smaller toes above and behind each hoof. The tail is natiirally 

 short. (8) When angry, the goat shakes its head and stamps. 

 (9) There are many breeds of goats and they are of use in the 

 following ways: To produce milk which is very nutritious and 

 from which a special cheese is made ; the flesh is eaten ; the hair 

 is woven into fabrics ; the skin is used to make gloves and morocco, 

 and is also used for bags in which water is carried in the Orient; 

 goats are used as pets. 



THE W^HITE RAT 



This should be a study of the interesting ways of this pet as 

 suggested in Professor Bailey's article. The observations should 

 cover the following points and many more : 



(i) The length of the tail compared with its body, the covering 

 of the tail and its use when the rat is climbing. (2) The hind legs 

 are long and strong fitted for jumping. Compare front feet with 

 hind feet. Describe the claws and their uses. (3) Note the eyes, 

 shape of ears, shape of snout, the whiskers and their use, the mouth 

 and arrangement of teeth. (4) Actions of the rat when it is 

 reaching up to examine something, how does it hold its front feet? 

 (5) Describe how a rat washes its face — ^its back and its feet. 

 -(6) Note how a rat acts when eating. (7) Does it make any noises, 

 if so what do they mean ? 



NATURE-STUDY TOPICS FOR MARCH 



Second grade (i) A study of the buds of trees, includmg both 

 leaf and flower buds, brought into the schoolroom and observed as 

 they open. (2) The planting of seeds m pots and boxes or "egg- 

 shell farms" and the study of their development, (3) A bird calen- 

 dar for the first appearance of our most common and well known 

 birds. 



Third grade: (i) Migration stories of our most common birds. 

 (2) Begin a detailed "line a day" story of the robins and of their 

 activities from the time of their first appearance. (3) The rabbit; 

 a study of the domesticated varieties should lead to a study of the 

 wild hare * * the cottontail' ' . (4) A study of the pussy willow includ- 

 ing as well the pistillate catkins that produce the seeds. 



Foiuth grade: (i) The meadowlark; personal observations 

 should be supplemented by reading. (2) The muskrat; this may 

 be personal observation and natural history. (3) Skunks cabbage; 

 compare with jack-in-the-pulpit and calla lily. (4) Seed testing. 



