50 



MINERALS. 



Of what value are ants to soil? In what kind of soil do they work 

 most? 



Make careful observation of the work of earth worms. On what 

 kind of soil do you find castings most abundant; relation to porosity 

 and capillarity of soil; to rainfall and evaporation. Estimate the 

 number of earthworms in an acre of good soil. 



NOTE. Mark off a square yard in sandy soil, on a grassy plot, and under trees. 

 Remove all the earth worm castings. Collect castings every twenty-four hours. 



By computing the amount of soil brought to surface in twenty-four 

 hours and comparing the area of a square yard with an acre, some 

 idea can be gained of the amount of work being done by these humble 

 but effective agents. Read Charles Darwin's work on earth worms. 



JUNE. 



PLANTS. 



texture; color; markings of 

 Maturing of pistils and sta- 



1. Flowers. 



(a) Form regular and irregular; 



flower in relation to insects, 

 mens. 



(b) Pollen. 



(1) Distribution by wind and insects. 



(2) Protection. 



Against rain; nodding fuschia, columbine; method of 

 closing during rain or cloudy weather poppy; irregu- 

 larity of flowers iris, sweet pea. 



Against animals; hairs on leaves, flowers on throat of 

 flower mullein, thistle, violet; latex milk in stem 

 and leaves, hardens in air, stalk smooth, epidermis 

 delicate, feet of insects puncture epidermis, are caught 

 and stick milkweed; isolation teasel, pond of water 

 in cup formed by leaf; shape of flower sunflower, 

 sweet peas, snap-dragon, milkweed, orchids, yucca, 

 salvia, catnip. 



