78 EXERCISES IN DESCRIPTION. 



free borders of the trunk anteriorly, and near the ventral 

 side, are the paired pectoral fins [equivalent to fore-limbs] 

 somewhat fan- shaped. On the sides of the ventral line, 

 half-way between the head and the ventral fin, are the 

 pelvic fins [equivalent to hind-limbs], like the pectoral in 

 shape, but smaller. In all these fins the first ray is 

 stronger and firmer than the others. The anal aperture is 

 just in front of the ventral fin. The tail fin is relatively 

 large and symmetrical, with a rounded, broadly bilobed, 

 terminal border (Fig. 12). 



It is desirable that pupils should have frequent practice 

 in descriptions such as the foregoing. After their pre- 

 liminary training they should carry out this work without 

 assistance. These exercises it should be understood are 

 meant to be quite distinct from descriptions which are 

 elicited from the pupils in the course of an observational 

 study such as is given, e.g., in the next chapter. 



The following type objects may be set for description as 

 opportunity arises. They are arranged in approximate 

 order of difficulty of treatment ; the degree of detail 

 required must in each case be determined by the age and 

 capacity of the pupils. 



Plants. 



Leaves. These will call for verbal descriptions of size, 

 shape, colour, and texture. Not until the pupils have 

 grappled with the difficulties of finding terms to correctly 

 indicate different shapes of leaves should the teacher supply 

 the recognised nomenclature, and this should for the most 

 part be done with the older pupils only. 



Fruits. Descriptions should include reference to size ; 

 shape ; colour ; nature of surface ; consistency (i.e. whether 

 fruit is hard, soft, pulpy, leathery, etc.) ; odour (pleasant, 

 if any associations suggested, etc.) ; taste, if edible. 



Flowers. Note size, giving approximate measurement 

 across top of flower, also length if this is marked ; shape, 

 with particular reference to symmetry ; colour of indi- 

 vidual parts ; arrangement of component parts ; odour. 



