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Handbook of Nature-Study 



develops into a seed. The hepatica is a perennial and grows only in rich, 

 moist woods. It is so adapted to the shade, that it dies if transplanted 

 to sunny places. The leaves which have passed the winter under the 

 snow are rich purple beneath, and mottled green and purple above, mak- 

 ing beautiful objects for water-color drawings. The new leaves are put 

 forth in spring before the leaves of the trees create too much shade. In 

 the fall, after the trees are bare, the leaves again become active. The 

 roots are quite numerous and fine. 



Embroidery design from, the hepatica. 

 The Child's Own Book of Wild Flowers, drawn by Evelyn Mitchell. 



LESSON CXVII 

 The Hepatica 



Leading thought — The hepatica flower buds are developed in the fall, 

 so as to be ready to blossom early in the spring. This plant lives only in 

 moist and shady woods. 



Method — The pupils should have the questions before they go into the 

 woods to gather spring flowers, and should answer them individuall)^. 

 However, the hepatica plant may be potted early in the spring, and the 

 flowers may be watched during their development, and studied in the 

 schoolroom. 



Observations — i. Where do you find the hepaticas? Do you ever 

 find them in the open fields? Do you ever find them in the pine woods? 



2. How do the leaves look in early spring? Sketch in color one of 

 these old leaves. How do the young leaves look? Are the leaves that 

 come up late in the spring as fuzzy as those that appear early? What 

 is the diflierence in texture and color between the leaves that were 

 perfected in the fall and those that appear in the spring? 



3. Find a hepatica plant before it begins to blossom. Look, if possi- 

 ble, at its very center. Describe these little flower buds. When were 

 they formed? 



