COMSTOCK] A STUDY OF THE HYACINTH 121 



sepals to the flower bud. The six stamens are placed opposite 

 the lobes and at the throat of the bell. Each stamen has a broad 

 triangular filament which, like a bracket, holds the pale yellow 

 anther at its tip. The stamens project toward tlie center of the 

 flower and form a tent above the stigma and ovary. The anthers 

 and pollen are often the same color as the flower. At the bottom 

 of the flower is the green, three-lobed, alraost globular ovary with 

 sutures between and also at the middle of its lobes. This is 

 crowned with a short, brushy three-lobed stigma, the color of the 

 flower. The anthers ripen and shed their pollen before the 

 stigma is ready to receive it. The strong fragrance of the flower 

 attracts to it many insects, especially the bees, and they carry the 

 pollen. In the flowers examined for this lesson, I found that 

 most of the single varieties produced seed, occurring as twins, 

 set in the lobes of the ovary. 



The hyacinth bulb has attached to it many long, thread-like 

 roots. If cut through the center we see that it is made up of 

 many layers like the onion. Small bulbs are found around the 

 base of the mature one. A rich, light soil is best for hyacinths. 

 The bulbs should be set out in October and set about eight inches 

 apart and four inches deep. The bed should be mulched during 

 cold weather. 



A potted hyacinth blossoming in the schoolroom or one of 

 the plants brought in from the garden is all the material necessary 

 for this lesson. 



Purpose. — To lead the pupils to a knowledge of the hyacinth 

 and to interest them in its cultivation. 



Observations for pupils: (i) When the hyacinth first appears 

 above ground how does it look? 



(2) Do the flower buds appear as soon as the leaves? 



(3) How are the leaves arranged around the flower buds? 

 Describe the leaves. 



(4) Describe the bunch of flower buds. How are they packed 

 together ? 



(5) What color are the flower buds? 



(6) Take one apart. How many of the green sepal-like lobes 

 protect the flower? 



(7) Do those flowers which appear above the groimd first, open 

 before the others ? 



