144 Lessons in Nature Study. 



scales all around you to keep you warm, for it will soon be 

 very cold "? 



No, the tree is dumb. She does not know that winter is 

 near, but the Creator takes care of the little buds and covers 

 them with scales to protect them from frost and snow. He 

 has given us kind fathers and mothers to wrap us up when 

 winter comes to chill us. Ought we not to be very thank- 

 ful that these little buds, too, are so kindly cared for ? If 

 it were not for these bud-scales coming out early enough to 

 protect the tender buds, they would freeze, and the tree 

 could not grow. What other signs do you see that winter 

 is coming ? The leaves have fallen. The weather-pole is 

 casting longer shadows. The thermometer shows that it is 

 getting cooler. I saw a flock of birds flying southward this 

 morning. All the crops are ripe and gathered in. There 

 was a frost last night. The days are getting short. Yes, all 

 these things teach us that winter will soon be here. To- 

 morrow you may bring to the language class a fable about 

 a bud becoming clothed to protect it during winter. 



WHAT CAN BE FOUND UNDER A FLAT STONE. 



Children, let us all go out at recess, and see what new 

 thing we can find. Here is a nice shady place. We shall 

 find something here. There is a large stone. I wonder if 

 I have a boy who is strong enough to turn it over. You 

 may try, Charlie. Now, children, get in a ring around this 

 stone, and when Charlie turns it over we must use our eyes 

 and try to see everything that is under it. Now, ready 

 over it goes ! (Pointing) What is that little black insect 

 with hard shiny wings ? (A bug.) Yes, that is called a 

 bug. Who can tell me another name for it ? (A beetle.) 

 Yes, this is a beetle. We will put it in this box and exam- 

 ine it some other day. \Vhat is that black insect with big 

 claws and short black wings ? (A cricket.) Yes, that is a 

 cricket. Let us catch him also and keep him until another 

 day. What is this curious little creature which has so many 

 legs ? Do not touch him. A hundred-legged, worm. Yes, 



