21 



It would do no violence to any correct pedagogical principle to tell any 

 one who can see the green grains that by means of them in sunlight, the 

 plant makes starch out of carbonic acid and water. As it is in mosses, 

 so it is in all plants. If this subject is not brought up here, when it is 

 taken up, the moss leaf is one of the most convenient in which to see 

 the chlorophyll well. 



The moss reproduces by means of spores. These in many common 

 forms are contained in a little vessel on the top of a slender stalk which 

 raises it up above the general bed of moss. 



The spores sown in moist places first grow into minute green threads 

 (protonema). These, in time, bear minute buds which develop into 

 the moss plants as we generallj- see them. 



The children may find difierent forms of mosses; find their spore- 

 bearing parts; the protonemal stage passing into the adult plant. 

 Flower pots in which other plants are growing, if kept moist, often have 

 all of these stages. 



Note to the teachers : — For yourself, you will find it a matter of great 

 interest to learn how the spores are formed, although the subject pre- 

 sents considerable difiiculty in making it clear to young children. Refer- 

 ence is made to the formation of the male and female plants, the ferti- 

 lization of the oospore by the antherozoids, and the development of the 

 sporogonium. 



See Campbell, D. H., Structural and Systematic Botany, Ginn & Co., 

 1890, p. 93. Vines, S. H., A Student's Text Book of Botany, 2 volumes 

 MacMillan & Co., 1894, p. 324. 



Motion or Locomotion. 



There is no benefit derived from the study of muscles and bones if 

 they cannot be seen as parts of a real motor mechanism. This can 

 best be seen by an actual observation of the parts, and a comparative 

 observation of several animals with markedly different styles of move- 

 ments. The following animals observed carefully in their movements 

 in walking, running, flying, jumping and swimming, will give an intel- 

 ligent interest in the study of the motor mechanism of the human body. 



FISH IN AN AQUARIUM. 



Movements of fins. What does each accomplish? Which propels 

 forward? By what movements does it move backward? By what 

 movements does it rise? Turn to the right or left? Observe move- 

 ments of mouth and eyes. 



OTHER ANIMALS. 



The study of the movements of a salamander will follow that of the 

 fish. Have pupils observe carefully the position of the limbs, and 

 exact use of them on the table; its motions in the water, and how it ac- 

 complishes them. 



Since the limbs of the frog are so much better developed, and its 



