CHAPTER XIX, 



THE STUDY OF FLOWERS. 



WITH the youngest pupils in school, flowers are dealt 

 with from the point of view of their colours, scent, and 

 other attractive features. Observational work may be 

 encouraged also at this stage with reference to the visits 

 of insects to them, and also to the fact that they give place 

 in due time to the fruit and seeds. 



In the next stage, whilst continuing to cultivate general 

 appreciation by means of drawing and colouring, our sug- 

 gestions with regard to the meaning of flowers must now 

 direct attention more definitely to details. There comes a 

 stage when it is profitable to dissect a flower a practice 

 which need not often occur in our Nature Studies. We 

 may take a common wild or garden flower of simple struc- 

 ture, e.g. Wallflower. Pupils should learn the uses and 

 names of the different parts. 



Sepals protective, especially in the flower bud. 



Pupils will see also that they hold the petals in 



position. 



Petals attractive by colour and scent. 

 Stamens pollen producing for making seeds fertile. 

 Carpels producing ovules which give rise to seed. 



The nectaries which in the Wallflower occur at the base 

 of the outer stamens occupy different positions in differ- 

 ent flowers. Attention should be called to these as of 



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