SPUING NATURE STUDY. 611 



the brown knobs are the ends of the stamens. In the ripe 

 flower is a slender curved stem without a knob, growing 

 from an enlarged base. The enlarged base is the seed box, 

 or ovary. 



Late in May, or early in June, the petals and stamens 

 drop off, and some of the seed boxes enlarge, and become 

 covered with green spines, the beginning of the horse chest- 

 nut. Watch the changes in it through June. In September 

 the last stages in the development of the nut can be seen. 



Before the close of school review, with the branches be- 

 fore the children, the whole story of the horse-chestnut bud 

 and of its development from March to June. 



OTHER MAY BUD STUDY. 



The development of the lilac leaves, flowers, and fruit 

 can be watched during May and June. Note how long the 

 stem becomes ; how the outermost scales drop off, and the 

 inner leaf-like scales turn green, and form small leaves, 

 which usually drop off; how the leaves are arranged (oppo- 

 site) to get the most light ; how new leaves form from the 

 terminal bud ; how the branches of the flower cluster are 

 protected by a small leaf or bract ; how the flowers unfold, 

 and how and where the fruit forms. 



The study of the pussy willow or poplar can be contin- 

 ued, dwelling on the growth of the seed boxes, or pistils, and 

 of the seeds. Note how the scales and hairy covering drop 

 off, how the stamenate catkins shrivel and disappear, how 

 the "little green bottles" appear on the pistillate catkins, 

 grow larger, split open, showing the cotton and seeds, and 

 discharge of their plumed seeds. It is not wise to attempt 

 with primary children any study of the parts of the flowers 

 of willow or poplar. Merely watch the stages in the de- 

 velopment of the seeds and of the leaves. 



