28 OUTLINE OF PLANT STUDY. 



SIXTH YEAR. 



Special Work for Year. — Flowers and Reproduction. 



Special Aim. — ^ To give a better understanding of the marvelous pro- 

 cesses and adaptations, among flowering and flowerless plants, for produc- 

 ing new plants, and of the care Nature takes of her seeds ; to enable the 

 children to absorb from the flower and plant higher, purer, and holier 

 conceptions of reproduction, and of the mystery of the origin of life. 



Roots, Stems, and Leaves. — Review as much as may seem necessary, in 

 connection with study of flowers. 



Buds. — Preparation for winter (October and November). Development 

 and structure studied in detail, emphasizing order, plan, and purpose, with 

 careful drawings (March to May). 



Floicers and Reproduction. — Emphasize work or function of the flower 

 and adaptation to work — that is, study the flower as an organ for produc- 

 ing, protecting, and disseminating seeds. 



a. Fertilization. How does pollen escape from the anther? How get 

 to the pistil? Study methods of and arrangements for fertilization, the 

 relation of flowers and insects, the use to the plant of the colors, mark- 

 ings, bail's, odors, and nectar of flowers. Hovv does pollen get into the 

 ovary and what does it do there? (September, October, May, and June.) 



b. Dissemination of seeds. Formation or ripening of seeds and fruit; 

 separation from jilant ; escape from the ovary ; dissemination by fleshy, 

 edible parts, wings and hairy appendages, spines and hooks, springs or 

 elaters, and by water and wind; protection through winter (October and 

 November). 



c. Family characteristics. Distinctive characteristics of two or three 

 well-marked families in fall, such as composite and mint families, and of 

 one or two families in spring, such as the cro^oot, rose, maple, or violet 

 families. In spring study, as much as possible, tree flowers. 



Floiverless Plants. — Review fern in September, and horse-tail in April 

 or May, emphasizing reproduction. Learn to recognize other flowering 

 plants, such as mosses, in fall, and liverworts, in spring. 



SEVENTH YEAR. 



Special Work for Year. — Life History and Classification. 



Special Aim. — To prepare, by a review of life history, for broader 

 comparison, generalization, and classification. 



Seeds and Germination. — A careful study of the adaptations for the 

 protection of seeds by neutral colors, by thick, woody coats, by bad tasting 

 or prickly coverings, by fallen leaves, and by snow; of the escape of the 

 embryo from the seed-coats ; of the provisions for nourishing the young 

 plant; of the development of root, stem, leaves, and flowers. A review of 

 the whole life history of the plant and of the adaptation of each part to its 

 work — a continuation of the work of the sixth year (April and May). 



Trees. — Two or three observed throiighout year, and a record of their 

 changes kept. 



