45 



FEBRUARY. 



PLANTS. 



Effect of warm days upon plants. Which trees expand most 

 quickly? Which buds swell first? Watch for dandelion blossoms. 



ANIMALS. 



Winter condition of insects. Examine trees for egg masses of tent 

 caterpillar and forest tentless caterpillar, bark of trees for cocoons of 

 codling moth. What birds are seen feeding on eggs and larvae in the 

 trees? Imagine the hiding places of insects, and life conditions. 



MINERALS. 



Kinds of rock. 



Examine different kinds of rock in your neighborhood. Is it sand- 

 stone, limestone, marble, slate, shale, or granite? Compare texture, 

 hardness, cleavage. Which yields to 'erosive agents most rapidly? 

 W T hat is the nature of the soil derived from the different kinds of 

 rock? Do you find evidences of life in any of the rocks? 



NOTE. A few warm days may be sufficient to arouse activity in plants, and 

 children should be on the alert for first evidences. A Venessa butterfly which 

 has been hibernating in the bark of a tree may be lured from its hiding place. 

 When we think of the myriads of insects that swarm during the summer, it is 

 interesting to contemplate their abiding places during the winter. After vege- 

 tation has been killed is a good time to study the rock structure; long fringes 

 of icicles on the breast of a ledge of rock speak plainly of the frost giants ut 

 work there; masses of rocks dislodged will disclose a tracery of rootlets; the talus 

 formation at the base of the cliffs show the wreckage, much of which will be 

 carried away by the spring freshets. 



MARCH. 



PLANTS. 



Cut twigs from different trees and bring into the school room for 

 daily observation. Compare color and texture of bark; length of a 

 year's growth; position and size of buds; leaf and flower buds. In 

 fruit twigs can you detect fruit spurs? Relation of fruit spurs to 

 growth of twigs. Compare covering and protection of buds. Ob- 

 serve the way leaves and blossoms are folded in buds. 



ANIMALS. 



First appearance of insects: have they hibernated or emerged from 

 cocoons or nests? 



Make an insect calendar for school, or encourage each child to keep 

 his own calendar. 



