SPUING NATURE STUDY. 615 



unfold, at first all green (the calyx, or outer Covering), later 

 opening at the top by five teeth (the sepals), and disclosing 

 a whiter part within (the corolla, or crown). In time this 

 white part unfolds, showing within it ten little yellow knobs 

 or threads (stamens), and within these a slender, curved, 

 pointed stem (the style, fastened to the seed box, or ovary, 

 concealed in the base of the corolla). Do not be in a hurry 

 to give the names of the parts. Careful observation and 

 clear ideas first. After struggling for a time to express 

 these ideas in their words, to tell about " the green cup," 

 " the white part," " the little threads like pins," the chil- 

 dren will welcome and correctly use any names which 

 really help them to express their ideas. 



Dwell on the beauty of the flower. Begin the lesson 

 often with a bright, simple thought on flowers a line or 

 two on the blackboard from the poet. 



What is the work of the flower ? Everything works for 

 it. It is so well cared for. It unfolds so carefully. It is 

 so beautiful and perfect. What does it do ? Make the 

 world look beautiful ? Yes. Bring happiness to all about 

 it ? Yes. Make us think pure, beautiful thoughts ? Yes. 

 That is a great deal, isn't it ? 



But this is not all. " Do you know, boys and girls, that 

 way down in the flower a wonderful secret is hidden? 

 Well, there is more wonderful than anything we have 

 found yet. Shall we watch carefully ? It may take sev- 

 eral days. And when any one discovers it you will not 

 tell the others, but just come and whisper it to me. We 

 want all to discover it, each for himself." The children 

 watch the development of the flower and the growth of 

 the pod with the most intense interest. The writer has 

 seen a roomful of unruly pupils transformed by a bean 

 plant and a wise teacher who knew how to make use 

 of the plant. 



