44 THE NEW METHOD 



a pound of sugar. The trees are tapped for the sap 

 about the first of March." 



Radiates. 



" Our science work for to-day is the study of the 

 Starfish and Coral Polyp. Both of these belong to a 

 very low class of animals, called Radiates. 



" There are hundreds of species of Polyps, and 

 they all live in the ocean, and most of them in or 

 near the Torrid Zone. They differ very much in size, 

 shape and color. Some are microscopic, and some 

 are six inches, or even a foot in diameter. The Polyp 

 is a tube with a round disc and mouth at the top, 

 with a row of feelers around it. The feelers draw in 

 particles of dirt, or animal and vegetable substances 

 which are the food of the Polyp. These animals 

 never move from their place, and when they die 

 the skeleton remains and helps to make the coral. 

 Coral is of many colors and forms, and many kinds 

 are very beautiful. Polyps have done some good, for 

 they built up the Maldive and Lacadive Islands of 

 coral, which is becoming limestone and marble." 



The Osmunda Cinnamomea. 



' ' This is one of the most beautiful ferns we have 

 studied, and it is as interesting as it is pretty. It is 

 found in all the states east of the Mississippi River, 



