132 THE NATURE STUDY COURSE. 



in a tumbler and tie a cover of fine netting over it to retain 

 the mosquitoes as they emerge. Then on the window-sill 

 there may be observed the hatching of the eggs, the breathing 

 and swimming of the larvae, the changed and shortened form 

 of the pupa, and the emergence of the perfect mosquito. The 

 breathing organs of the larva are attached near the tail end ; 

 those of the pupa are like donkey's ears, near the head end. 

 Both forms come to the surface to breathe. 



The Honey Bee — An observation beehive may be attached 

 to the window-sill outside of the window-sash, or better 

 still, to the sill inside of the window with an opening under 

 the sash to permit egress and return of the bees, but so 

 protected at the sides that a bee cannot enter the room. In 

 most school-sections some one will be found able and willing 

 to assist the teacher in directing the children's observations. 

 A Langstroth observation hive, stocked with one frame and 

 " nucleus hive," can be securely screwed to the window-sill as 

 suggested. Even if everything has to be bought the cost need 

 not exceed three dollars. See photogravure, opposite page 46, 

 No. 6. If the teacher has not had experience with bees he 

 should study them at some local apiarist's, or at least get the 

 latter's assistance in setting up the observation hive. Any of 

 the books on apiculture will be helpful. Benton's Bulletin on 

 the " Honey Bee " can be obtained for 25 cents from the Docu- 

 ment Depository of the U.S. Dept. of Agric, Washington. 



A Formicary. — Easier to obtain than an observation bee- 

 hive, but no less interesting to study, is a colony of ants at 

 work. Miss Fielde's ant-nests, described in the current volume 

 of the "Nature Study Review," 1905, pp. 37-40, can be 

 made by any teacher. One may be constructed with either 

 two or three rooms. A pane of glass, 12 by 4| inches or 

 smaller, is laid on a sheet of blotting paper and on it, near 

 the edge, a wall is built to the height of a quarter inch with 



