376 NATURE STUDY. 



seeing them will help the teacher to appreciate the per- 

 fection in every detail shown in the milkweed. They 

 can be studied by older pupils. 



This axis may be compared to a hammock, to the outside 

 of which the seed babies cling. As the wind moves the pod 

 back and forth on its spring, this hammock is twisted, and 

 gradually brings up toward the opening in the cover those 

 seeds which grow on the side of the hammock away from 

 the opening. At the same time the pod is apt to double 

 up, to bring the ends nearer together, and to make the open- 

 ing " gape " more, as shown in the old dry pods. 



If we select a large scale from a green pod, and carefully 

 pinch off the "rim" from the broader or lower end, and 

 press gently, the real baby, the little green plantlet, may be 

 seen with a short stem and two leaves, lying face to face, 

 but readily separated with a pin. 



Division into Lessons. There should be at least three 

 leasons, if the work is well done. 



Lesson 1. The home of Mother Milkweed, and the mak- 

 ing of the seed cradles. 



Lesson 2. The milkweed cradle, and the way the seed 

 babies are protected. 



Lesson 3. The scattering of the milkweed babies. 



Expressive Work. In Lesson 1, in which th matter is 

 quite general and largely review, oral expression is the 

 best. 



In Lesson 2, the form and attachment of the pod is im- 

 portant, and can be best expressed by a clay model or a 

 drawing of the pod. The teacher must make the object to 

 be drawn as simple as possible, must remove from it every- 

 thing except that which the children are to draw, and must 

 place it in the position easiest to draw. Break off a few 

 inches of the upper ends of two or three stems, removing 

 the leaves and all but one pod, fasten these where and in 



