1 86 NATURE STUDY LESSONS FOR PRIMARY GRADES 



What else do we find on the branch besides leaves 

 and cones ? (Buds.) On what part of the twig do 

 you find these buds? Are all of the same shape? 

 [The children find that some are large and pointed, 

 others are round and flat, while others are made up 

 of a cluster of little buds.] Why this difference? 

 Let us see if we can find out. [A pointed bud is first 

 examined. The children notice how the lower scales 

 curve downward. (If kept in a warm room, more of 

 the scales will turn down.) They also notice the 

 great number of coverings.] Are they thick or 

 thin ? Soft or harsh ? How arranged ? All of the 

 same length? How held together? [The pitch 

 shows itself after being kept in a warm room some 

 time.] The covers being carefully removed, the 

 children are delighted to find what they think 

 is a cone. But where on the twig did we find 

 the cones ? (On the sides, but this is directly at the 

 end.) What does grow at the end of a twig? 

 Leaves on a stem. What then should you expect 

 to find in this bud ? We will put this little bare bud, 

 with a covered one, into this bottle of alcohol. It 

 will keep them fresh. How shall we label it ? We 

 will say we do not know what this is. But what do 

 you think it ought to be ? It is another secret which 



