A GRADED COURSE OF NATURE-STUDY 429 



observe in spring. (127, 130, 134.) Make a study of the 

 life of the dragon-fly.* With the children collect large 

 nymphs of the dragon-fly in pools and ponds. Keep in aqua- 

 rium. Feed with mosquito wrigglers, small water shrimps, 

 etc. Observe the habits of the nymph. Some of the nymphs 

 may be observed emerging from their skin, a very interest- 

 ing sight for the children. Observe the wings of the dragon- 

 fly when first out, then the expansion. Observe the actions 

 of the adult. Uses. Mosquito wrigglers may be observed 

 in a similar manner to develop to maturity. (135.) In the 

 above insects the babies do not look at all like their parents, 

 but change marvellously in their growth. Find young grass- 

 hoppers without any wings. Compare them with the adults. 

 Here the babies resemble the parents from the beginning. 

 A little structure study. The locust:* Principal parts of 

 body, wings, legs. Observe the mouth, the eyes, the feelers. 

 Unfold the wings. Note their beauty and their veins. A 

 beetle:* Chief characteristics — hard wing covers, find del- 

 icate under-wings. Observe lady-bugs * flying or tucking 

 away their wings. Note hard shell on the outside of the 

 whole body. How many legs do beetles have? Grass- 

 hoppers? Dragon-fly, adult: General shape of body, rings 

 on abdomen. Where are the legs and wings fastened? 

 How many legs? How many wings? How many has the 

 grasshopper ? Note the gauzy, netted wings, observe flight. 

 Note the big eyes, the pretty colors that play on the eyes, 

 the colors of the body and wings. Do not fear the dragon- 

 fly. It is harmless and useful (why?). Butterfly: Great 

 wings, beautiful colors. Note the powdery scales that come 

 off, the hairy body, the knobbed feelers. Unroll the trunk 

 with a pin. Observe a butterfly feeding. (J. 47, 15, 24, 33.) 



