CHAPTER XIX 



LIFE IN WATER 



No phase of nature work affords more real enjoyment 

 as well as profit than a study of the various forms of life 

 found in water. The nearness of the schoolhouse to a 

 pond or stream must determine largely how much time 

 may be spent in leading the children to form the acquaint- 

 ance of aquatic plants and animals. 



If water is near by, then the bulk of the observation 

 should be made out of doors. Note what plants are grow- 

 ing near the pond or stream. Are there any plants grow- 

 ing in the water ? Study some special one. Are the stems 

 thick or thin ? The leaves large or small ? Do the plants 

 stand up straight ? Are they stiff enough to stand upright 

 when you take them out of the water? Are the roots 

 anchored in the soil at the bottom of the pond ? Do you 

 find any plants floating in the water ? 



You may find a tiny plant with roundish leaves and a 

 few roots dangling from beneath. This is the duckweed. 

 Sometimes there are so many of these growing that they 

 completely cover large areas of the pond. You will find, 

 also, long green strings of algae or pond scum. These 

 interesting plants have neither leaves nor roots. 



Do you see any animals in the water ? You may find 

 the water striders or skaters, slender bugs with very long 

 legs, that skim over the water as easily as boys and girls 



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