Lessons on Teeth. m 



food is shown still better in the teeth of the next class of 

 animals. 



VI. Gnawing Teeth (Fig. 30, 6). 



The skulls of rabbits, squirrels, muskrats, rats, and mice are 

 easily obtained and are very interesting to study : the long 

 front teeth, two in each jaw, the enamel only on the outside in 

 front, the tops bevelled so as to be like a chisel. These are 

 fitted for gnawing through any hard body. The side teeth 

 are like those of herb-eaters. The front teeth are exceed- 

 ingly long. Their roots are far back in the jaws. They 

 wear off very fast at the ends and grow out as fast as they 

 wear away, another instance of nature's care and foresight. 



TALK UPON TEETH. 



See how peculiar these teeth are. Are they the teeth of 

 a flesh-eater ? Why not ? Are they human teeth ? Why 

 not ? Compare them as regards size, shape, etc., with the 

 teeth of cats and men. See how flat they are on the top. 

 They are grooved. Why is this so ? Break one open to 

 show how it looks within. It seems as if it had been soft 

 once on a time and was then rolled up. Find the eye-teeth. 

 How do they compare with those of men and dogs ? 



THE EXPLORATION OF A ROSE. 



One of the most entertaining lessons I have ever enjoyed 

 giving was an exploration of a rose. Any double rose will 

 do for the purpose, but a cultivated tea-rose, such as is 

 grown by florists, is best. 



Each child should be supplied with a rose, a pencil pad, 

 pencil, and, where possible, a simple magnifying glass. The 

 glass is not absolutely necessary, but it aids greatly in show- 

 ing the curious forms inside the rose. Tell the children 

 that the rose contains some very curious things. Teach 

 them which are sepals and which petals, and then require 

 them to pick their roses to pieces just as you do. 



i. Remove the outer circle of petals. Are these alike 

 in shape ? Draw one petal. 



