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SEPTEMBER NATURE-STUDY 



283 



may answer after making observations. Each child should draw 

 or trace a leaf. (2) The study of these flowers should fix in the 

 child's mind the terms sepals and petals, which should be illus- 

 trated by talking about them thus: "This geranium has pink pet- 

 als and that one scarlet petals, but they all have green sepals which 

 wrap up the baby buds like blankets." Ask the questions from 

 obs. 3, 4, 5, 6, p. 647. The nectar well in the geranium is wonder- 

 fully deep. It is the little knob almost at the base of blossom stem. 

 A tiny grass stem or a slender needle may be pushed down the 

 whole length of the stem to the nectar well. 

 (3) The blossom of the geranium should be 

 a matter of observation at least a week. 

 Use obs. 8, 9, p. 647. (4) An outdoor study 

 of the geraniums in their beds, noting the 

 different colors, should be made to give the 

 pupils an idea of the ornamental qualities of 

 these plants. (5) Cuttings should be made 

 and potted by the teacher or by a pupil in 

 the presence of the others. For this, see p. 

 646, obs. 10, p. 647. 



The black swallow-tail butterfly — The 

 caterpillars of this butterfly may be found 

 in all stages in September on celery, cara- 

 way, or parsnip. It is highly desirable to bring them in on the 

 food plant in their early stages and watch their growth. A 

 plant may be potted for their food in the school room; but the best 

 way is to get fresh food each second day. The stems of the plant may 

 be placed in a bottle of water and, with the caterpillar, feeding on 

 the leaves, may be enclosed in a pasteboard box with mosquito 

 netting over one side, which may be removed for the study of the 

 insect. If this caterpillar can not be found, use some other; how- 

 ever, only the caterpillars of the swallow-tail butterflies thrust out 

 sense organs when disturbed. A butterfly, also, should be cap- 

 tured and placed in the terrarium or in a box with flowers; a tiny 

 vial, partially filled with sweetened water, placed in or near the 

 flowers, will give the butterfly refreshment, so that the pupils can 

 see the way it uses its thread-like tubular tongue. 



This lesson naturally divides into three: (1) the caterpillar, use 

 obs. 1, 2, 3, 4, p. 317-8. These questions should be asked, a few 

 at a time, and the pupils allowed to answer at their leisure from 



