l62 NATURE STUDY LESSONS FOR PRIMARY GRADES 



unfolding of certain buds which he has marked, but 

 he must bear in mind that storms of wind or rain 

 often cut the tender lives short. 



Although each petal usually performs its part in 

 closing, occasionally we find one, like a willful child, 

 standing off by itself, rolled up to resemble a bud. 

 Sometimes, too, one little petal will creep out of the 

 bud many hours before the others are ready. It 

 looks too dismal to be enjoying its joke. 



If there is room in the schoolhouse yard, wild 

 roses might be planted there. Here the children will 

 discover many interesting facts about their appearance 

 and growth. 



About the time that the petals fall, the stamens 

 change their bright color for a dark brown, and 

 later this color gives place to black. Their work 

 is done, although they do not pass out of sight. 

 The only part of the rose now especially notice- 

 able is the green seed cup with the sepals fastened 

 to its rim, and falling back over its sides. We 

 had noticed this cup but little when the petals 

 stood about and above it, but it has been growing 

 quite rapidly all of the time. Why should this 

 cup remain while the petals fall and the stamens 

 fade? There is not much more beauty to it than 



