360 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [12:8— Nov., 1916 



For the study of the thistle seed, use as much of obs. 7, p. 565, as 

 the children can understand, and see p. 564 for descriptions. For 

 the dandelion parachute, use obs. 9, 10, p. 575. The children 

 should be encouraged to hunt for other seed balloons such as those 

 of the asters, goldenrod, cat-tails, and many others. After these 

 seeds have been observed, the reason for their balloons should be 

 explained in the form of a story, if possible. Two facts should be 

 impressed upon the child's mind by this story. First, that any 

 seed in order to grow must find a space of ground where it can find 

 room and plant food for growth. Second, that in the locality 

 around these mother plants, the surface of the earth is already 

 crowded with other plants. If all the seeds of a thistle, a dandelion, 

 or a milkweed should fall close to the mother plant, probably none 

 of them would be able to grow. But the wind carries them far 

 away, attached to their balloons and they may drop upon more 

 favorable sites. 



The Burdock Bur. — This is simply another illustration of a plant 

 that fits its seed for travelling in order that it may find a place to 

 grow. Note the hooks on the bur and how well fitted they are to 

 catch hold of the passerby. Take a bur apart and note the 

 number of seeds carried inside. For this study, use obs. 8 and 9, 

 p. 569. 



THIRD GRADE 



The Pumpkin. — The pumpkin is a beauti- 

 ful fruit and it is lucky for the wayfarer that 

 it grows on a vine instead of upon a tree. 

 Even an apple hurts when it hits one on the 

 head , and we should need to wear steel helmets 

 if we had to pass under a pumpkin tree. In studying any fruit, the 

 attention should be focused upon the seeds and their protection. 

 For this study of the pumpkin use obs. 1-8, pp. 682, 683 ; see also 

 pp. 679 and 680. The squash may be studied with the same 

 questions. The pumpkin, like the corn, should be a link in the 

 child's mind, connecting our present history with that of the 

 past, for the pumpkin was cultivated by the American Indians 

 long before white men came to America. Its native home was 

 in a much warmer climate for it can not sustain itself in most of the 

 United States. Every child that enjoys a piece of pumpkin pie ought 

 to send a grateful thought to the Indian that gave to us this 

 fruit. 



