5i8 Handbook of Nature-Study 



flower, flower stem, and rootstock should be shown, and each blossom 

 should be neatly labelled with name, locality and date. From the 

 nature-study standpoint, a portfolio of drawings is the more desirable, 

 since from making the drawings the pupils become more observant of 

 the differences in structure and color which distinguish the species. 

 Such a portfolio may be a most beautiful object; the cover of thick 

 cardboard may have an original, conventionalized design made from 

 the flowers and leaves of the violets. Each drawing may be followed 

 by a page containing notes by the pupil and some appropriate quota- 

 tion from botany, poetry or other literature. 



Observations — i . Describe the locality and general nature of the soil 

 where the violet was found. That is, was it in the woods, dry fields 

 or near a stream? 



2. Sketch or describe the shape of the leaf , paying particular atten- 

 tion to its margin and noting whether it is rolled toward the stem 

 at its base. Is the petiole longer or shorter than the leaf? Does 

 the leaf stem spring directly from the root, or does it branch from another ? 

 If the latter, are the leaves opposite or alternate? Is there a stipule 

 where the leaf joins the main stem? If so, is it toothed on the edge? 



3. What is the color of the leaf above? Are the leaves and stems 

 downy and velvety, or smooth and glossy? 



4. Does the flower stem come from the root of the plant, or does it 

 grow from the main stem at the axil of the leaf? Are the flower stems 

 long enough to lift the flowers above the foliage of the plant? 



5. How many sepals has the violet? Are they long or short ; pointed 

 or rounded ? How many petals has the violet ? How are they arranged ? 

 Is the lower petal shaped like the others? What is the use of this broad 

 lower petal? Are there any marks upon it? If you should follow one of 

 these lines, where would it lead to? 



6. Look at the spur at the back of the flower. Of which petal is it a 

 part? How long is it, compared with the whole flower? What is the use 

 of this spur? 



7. Find the door that leads to the nectar-spur and note what the 

 tongue of the bee or butterfly would brush against when reaching for the 

 nectar. Are the side petals which form the arch over the door that leads 

 to the nectar fringed at their bases? If so, what is the use of this fringe? 



8. What colors are the petals? Are they the same on both sides? 

 How are they marked and veined ? Are the flowers fragrant? 



9. What color are the anthers? What color is the stigma? Exam- 

 ine a fading violet, and describe how the seed is developed from the flower. 



10. Find the seed-pods of the violet. How are the seeds arranged 

 within them? How do the pods open? How are the seeds scattered? 



1 1 . Look at the base of the violet and find the little flowers there which 

 never open. Examine one of these flowers and find if it has sepals, petals, 

 anthers and pistil. Are these closed flowers on upright stems or do the 

 stems he flat on the earth ? Of what use to the plant are these little closed 

 flowers? 



12. What sort of rootstock has the violet? Is it short and thick or 

 slender? Is it erect, oblique or creeping? 



