Ox TKK MANAltlOMKNT OK Et-KMKNTAKV CkAS8E8 IN BoTANY, 



infer too much from tlie examination of a siuj;lo fipecimen, as variations similar to tlmt now under 

 notice are not uncommon, Tlie coliesion and adhesion of the stamens will next be obstirvc-d, and the 

 " Remarks" column filled and checked as before. Pistil " Wantinj^" will hn the next entrj', and will 

 complete the examination of the stamiiuite blossom. The fertile flowors will then be distributed and 

 the work carried on in tlie same manner, the pupils bcinj^ led to find out for them.selve3 the dif[er«-n«e 

 between the two kinds of flowers, and no observation on their part being considered altogether unworthy 

 of notice, even though relatively unimportant. The significance of tlie invasion of the flowers by 

 insects can now be made clear, and the pupils should be advised to observe the tre<!S from time to time 

 afterwards, in order to see what progress the fruit is making, to note the development of the wings, 

 the lengthening of pedicels, and tinally the si)routing of the seeds and the production of a strong new 

 plant, all in one season. Other points, such as the shape of the leaves, comparison with otiier species 

 of maple, etc., etc., may be introduced at the discretion of the teacher, but care should be taken to 

 avoid vagueness and confusion in offering for the consideration of the pupils more than they can readily 

 grasp, and the 7'eZ<j/«t'« importance of points of structure should be distinctly' brought out. For this 

 reason a form of schedule, whii-.h will present the various features in their proper jHirsjjective and avoid 

 giving the impression that all observations are of equal importance, is the best. It is, in the writer's 

 judgment, a great mistake to dwell at first with any degree of minuteness upon the morphology of the 

 various organs — to attach much importance, for instance, to the minute description of leaves. "What 

 is wanted is to get a clear apprehension of the leading characteristics of the great groups of plants, and 

 the main facts of plant life, and anything which tends to cloud the perception of these things must Ix; a 

 hindrance to true progress. After tyjiical floral forms have been examined, and some knowledge has 

 been gained of the more comprehensive groups, then it will be proper to proceed with the study of those 

 finer distinctions upon which depends the separation of genera and of specie.s, and which are essential 

 to know in order to use intelligently the classified list of the common plants of the countrj*. 



Winter Work. — As already suggested, the lessons in the fall should be as frequent as circum- 

 stances will allow, so as to complete the examination of as nmny tj-pical flowers as possible. Mean- 

 while preparations should be going on for the winter lessons. Fruits, seeds, leaves, bulbs, tubers, 

 cones, etc., etc., should be collected in as great variety' as possible. A supply of ferns should al.KO be 

 laid in, neatly pressed and mounted, as tliese plants may be studied nearly as well in winter as in 

 summer. Elementary microscopic work can also be just as well done in winter. Every school should 

 now have a good compound microscope, and the teacher who can skillfully cut a few hand sections has 

 at his command an inexhaustible source of interest and delight to his class. In all this winter work, 

 and indeed in all botanical work, a good deal of attention should be given to dnilcinU- It foi'»s a 

 very useful exercise, for example, to dictate or write on the blackboard, a botanical description of a 

 leaf, and then reiiuire the class to draw the leaf so described. So, also, if a section is viewed through 

 tlie microscope, a drawing of what has been observed should in all cases be demandeil, as the most 

 satisfactory way of ascertaining whether the observer has carried away the right imjtression ; whetlier 

 he has, in short, seen what he was desired to see. It will often hapi>en, too, in the examination of 

 minute flowers, that it becomes necessary to dissect out and exhibit separately siiecial iK>rtions of the 

 flower, say, for example, the pollen-masses of the milkweed, or a single stamen of the pine. The 

 teacher should, in such a case, perform the necessary dissection ; and having fixed the i>ortion properly 

 luuler the lens, pass it round for the insijection of the pupils. They may then be re.|uired to m.ike a 

 drawing of the object, and having thus apprehended what is necessary, may I* asked to try to rei«at 

 the dissecting jn-ocess for themselves. 



The study of the structure and germination of seeds is another part of the work which can >« very 

 well done in winter, and many interesting and valuable lessons may be given upon these points. Seeds 

 of different sorts should be placed upon wet flannel or blotting-paper and allowed to germinate. The 



