36 SCHOOL COURSES. 



This will entail a close and discriminative examination of 

 each kind of plant which cannot but have instructive 

 results. 



Appropriate literature reference : Wordsworth's " To the 

 small Celandine," to be read or learnt by heart. Note the 

 message of the early spring flowers : 



" Telling tales about the sun, 

 When we've little warmth, or none." 



Trees. This stirring of dormant life, sign of spring's 

 appearing, is also to be followed upon the trees. A definite 

 course of study upon trees continuous through the year 

 should be undertaken, of which the following may be taken 

 as the portion appropriate to spring. 



Keep a watch and record the order of unfolding of buds 

 of all the common trees in the neighbourhood. A con- 

 tinuous record of this for successive years to be kept in 

 school. 



Note and record those whose flowers appear before their 

 leaves. Give dates of appearing of flowers. 



Animal Studies. Note further spring awakenings: 

 Insects appearing ; some from winter sleep, e.g. queen 

 humble-bee ; various caterpillars, some from winter chry- 

 salids ; look out for first butterflies and moths. 



Awakening of hibernators : Bats, hedgehogs, squirrels, 

 field voles. 



Only some of these awakenings may possibly come 

 under observation. But there is no harm in recounting 

 others. 



Eeturn of migrant birds mating and nesting. 



If near a river, look out for the march of the elvers 

 (young eels). 



Note the repeopling of the fresh water pools gnat 

 larvae, water fleas, etc. Stock the school aquarium. See 

 p. 182 for details of lessons, 



Collect frog spawn, 



