APRIL 199 



different from it ? Like gneiss ? Different from it ? Is 

 it used for building ? Why not ? For what is it used ? 

 Does mica schist make soil ? How ? What kind of 

 soil ? 



PLANTS 

 Buds : 



If the teacher has secured, properly cared for, and 

 used the unopened buds of March, she has prepared the 

 children for the delights of watching the growing living 

 green of the twigs and buds of April. 



Frequent short excursions should be made to the differ- 

 ent trees of the neighborhood, and some time devoted to 

 letting the children tell of other buds Avhich they are 

 watching at home or on the Avay to school. 



After the buds have opened will be an excellent time 

 to begin the systematic study of whatever trees may be 

 in the neighborhood. The teacher must search for them 

 and study them herself. To help her in this, I give below 

 short accounts of the commoner trees. 



American Linden, or Basswood (Tilia Americana) : 



"And all around the Lime feathers low, — 

 The Lime, a summer home of murmurous wings." 



Most of the characteristics of the leaf, its veining and 

 margin, of the flower, fruit, and tree are suliiciently 

 shown by the drawings. 



In addition to these, notice, in living specimens, the 

 tiny tufts of russet down in the axils of the veins on the 

 under side of the leaf ; the smooth bark ; the fragrance 

 of the flowers, which are full of honey and very attrac- 

 tive to bees ; and the long, ribbon-like bract, which aids 

 in the wind distribution of the fruits. Its wood is light 



