FALL PLANT STUDY. 393 



and other parts about it, rather than to the seed- 

 cradles. 



The cocklebur, abundant as a weed in many parts of the 

 United States, has a rather large ellipsoidal seed-vessel, 

 armed with hooked spines, enclosing two large seeds. Note 

 the two long spines at one end, the many shorter hooked 

 spines, the disagreeable odor by which it is protected, and 

 the two cavities within, each containing a seed. 



The burr-marigold, or beggar-ticks, can be found in all 

 stages of development during the fall. Each ripened blos- 

 som has many seeds. Each seed has two stiff, pointed, 

 barbed spines, giving it a slight resemblance to a two-tined 

 pitchfork ; hence the children commonly call them " pitch- 

 forks." In this, and in the equally common stick-seed, the 

 seeds separate from the seed-cradle. 



Sharp eyes will discover in fields and backyards many 

 other hooked or barbed seeds. Interest the children in col- 

 lecting all they can find. 



The article and illustrations on " Seed Tramps," in Gib- 

 son's Sharp Eyes, will repay study, and be helpful in this 

 work. 



THE CHESTNUT. 



Purpose. An exquisite illustration of another way of 

 protecting seeds. 



Suggestions for Study. If the children know something 

 about " chestnutting," begin by getting them to tell all they 

 can about the gathering of chestnuts, t'he teacher telling 

 what the children do not know. 



It may increase the interest to tell about another chest- 

 nut gatherer, the squirrel, and about his winter home and 

 the store of food he collects. 



If there are chestnut trees in the neighborhood, bring out 

 some of the characteristics of the tree, its great spreading 



