150 Lessons in Nature Study. 



What did these creatures do when we turned over the 

 stone ? Why did they avoid the light ? Why did they run 

 and crawl away ? How did the grass that had been cov- 

 ered by the stone look ? Why ? What makes the uncov- 

 ered grass green, then ? Why ? Is that grass green now ? 

 What has changed it from white to green ? Light of the sun. 



James, you may go out and turn over the stone now and 

 bring in a slug. Now let us look at him. What color is he ? 

 What shape ? How does he move ? We will let him be 

 quiet here and see how he moves. Watch him carefully. 

 What does he do first ? What then ? See how he moves 

 along. See the little waves that move along on his under 

 side. This little creature has no bones. His little body is 

 soft. We will put this small tomato here where he can 

 crawl upon it. Pretty soon we shall see him eat. Look at 

 his horns closely. Take this glass and look at them. Look 

 at the ends of them. What do you see there ? Eyes. Yes, 

 his eyes are on the tops of these stalks. Why are his eyes 

 put where he can lift them up so far ? So as to see on all 

 sides. Yes, he has to watch on all sides to look out for his 

 enemies. Who can name some of this poor slug's enemies ? 

 Robins, chickens, all other birds, toads, and moles. The 

 poor slug has no shell to protect him, as the snail has. But 

 his color hides him, because it is gray or brown, like the 

 ground. Some day we will get some snails and see how 

 much they are like the slug. 



Now I will tell you something about the slug. His tongue 

 is like a file, and his 18,800 teeth are on his tongue. He runs 

 out his tongue and files off the soft plant-leaves and fruit, 

 and so gets his dinner. See where this slug has crept. 

 What has he left behind him ? A shining track. Yes, he 

 has left a shining mark behind him. His body is soft and 

 it gives off this sticky substance, so as to let him go over 

 the ground faster. He oils the ground just as mamma oils 

 her sewing-machine to make it go easier. 



Let us put a little salt on this slug so. See what he does. 

 Do you think he likes salt ? 



