RouKo III. B 3 11M 2b3 Ginn & Company John Swett ALL THE YEAR ROUND A NATURE READER PART III: SPRINQ FRANCES L. STRONG ST. PAUL TEACHERS' TRAINING SCHOOL ILLUSTRATED BY GERTRUDE A. STOKER TEACHER OF DRAWING, ST. PAUL BOSTON, U.S.A., AND LONDON GINN & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS 1896 Q.H53 7 COPYRIGHT, 1896, BY FRANCES L. STRONG ALL RIGHTS RESERVED EDUCATION DEPT- NOTE TO THE TEACHER. IT is not the purpose of the author of this series to offer, or even suggest, any rules for its use. If anything is established in education, it is the fact that aside from certain underlying principles and general directions, each teacher must be a rule unto herself. The methods which the author and her colleagues have found successful might be entirely out of harmony with an equally good system in some other city. It is to be presumed, however, that if this series of nature -stories should be so fortunate as to be received with favor by the educational public, it will occa- sionally find its way into the hands of some teachers who are not familiar with nature -work as developed in large cities, and well-organized school systems. To these it may be interesting and helpful to know just "how it has been done " in the schools out of which these stories grew, and in which they have been used. Indeed, by way of com- parison and suggestion, it may also be of assistance to those who have passed through the experimental stage and have wrought out a system of their own. It has been the custom in the St. Paul public schools to pursue the following plan : Materials. The teacher goes out with her pupils to collect the materials referred to in the lessons, gathering 5*1257 iv Note to the Teacher. enough to allow each pupil one specimen. Animals and plants are kept alive in the schoolroom to enable all to study their growth and habits. After the material is at hand, the development of a spe- cific lesson is divided (though not formally and rigidly) into five parts. I. Morning Talk. The work of the day is begun with a morning talk based either upon one of the natural objects, or upon a geographical topic, according to the season. If an animal, a plant, or a stone be the subject of the lesson, pains are taken to see that each child is provided with a specimen. By skillful questioning, statements are drawn from the children concerning the facts the teacher wishes observed. New words are occasionally suggested and written upon the blackboard, and their frequent use is re- quired throughout the lesson. In studying objects, it has, of course, been found advisable to consider them as belong- ing to some great family, making comparisons, and finding resemblances and differences. Children readily find this family element in all things studied. II. Drawing. The observation lesson is followed by a drawing lesson upon the subject studied. The child has already been supplied with the plant, or animal. Each child draws his specimen carefully. It is by no means necessary for the teacher herself to be able to draw in order to get results. Each child is simply required to reproduce with his pencil just what he sees, just as he sees it. Children illustrate their language papers on flowers with water-colors or pencil. Work in free-hand cutting can be given from all Note to the Teacher. v objects, such as bottles, leaves, animals, etc. Scissors are used for this cutting. Modeling in clay is done from any object that will correlate with the other work. It has been found that in connection with the myths there is a great opportunity to develop imagination by allowing the child to illustrate the stories. III. Spelling. A spelling lesson upon the new and diffi- cult words will follow. IV. Reading. The child is now ready for the reading lesson appropriate to the subject. V. Language. Finally, the children write descriptions of the object or country studied, giving free expression to the facts each has acquired. It may be added that great interest may be excited by introducing into the number-work problems concerning the subject of the morning talk. The literature, also, holds a very prominent place in this nature-work. The following list suggests poems to be com- mitted to memory, and stories to be read in connection with this reader : PLANTS. The Dandelion Hiawatha The Dandelion . Parts of Lowell Shall I Go and Call Them Up ? Susan Coolidge Legend of the Cowslip . . Sara Wiltse Elderberry Bush .......... Hans Andersen The Fern Harper's Second Reader Fairy Land of Flowers Mara Pratt Little Flower Folks . Mara Pratt vi Note to the Teacher. TREES. Old Pipes the Piper Frank Stockton Baucis and Philemon Cooke's Myths The Walnut Tree that Wanted to Bear Tulips . Sara Wiltse Origin of the Laurel Tree Cooke's Myths Published by A. FLANAGAN, Chicago. Price, 20 Cents. As will be inferred from the method outlined above, the purpose of this book will be entirely misconceived, if it is looked upon merely as a convenient means of furnishing new reading matter for children (although it is sincerely hoped that it will do this). It is intended also to stimulate the thought, enlarge the vocabulary, and open the eyes of the children to the wonders of the world around them. In the St. Paul public schools the manuscript of this series has been used in the second grade. It is thought, however, that it may be used in the third, and even the fourth, with equally good results. October 17, 1895. TABLE OF CONTENTS. PLANTS. PAGE 1. PUSSY WILLOW . -3 2. PUSSY WILLOW (Poetry) . 5 3. THE LILAC TWIG 4. THE LIMA BEAN . 9 5. THE HORSE-CHESTNUT TWIG . . n 6. THE ELDERBERRY BUDS ; ' 1 3 7. THE BEAN PLANT . > 1 5 8. THE STRAW, THE COAL, AND THE BEAN . 17 9. THE PEA VINE . 20 10. THE PEA BLOSSOM 11. A LAUGHING CHORUS (Poetry) 27 12. MOTHER NATURE'S BABY FERNS 29 13. MARSH MARIGOLD . . 3 1 14. MAY (Poetry) . 34 15. THE VIOLET ... -35 1 6. THE YELLOW VIOLET (Poetry) . . 3$ 17. HEPATICA STORY . 4 1 8. HEPATICA (Poetry) 42 19. THE CARY TREE (Arbor Day) . 43 20. WHAT KATE HEARD THE FLOWERS SAY . 45 21. THE TRILLIUM ... -47 22. THE DANDELION . . 49 23. LEGEND OF THE DANDELION . 5 2 24. THE DANDELION (Poetry) . 54 viii Table of Contents. 25. THE ROBIN (Perching) . ...... 56 26. How THE ROBIN GOT HIS RED BREAST ... 59 27. WHAT ROBIN TOLD (Poetry) ... . 62 28. SPRING IN THE APPLE TREE ..... 63 29. THE HUMMING BIRD ....... 67 30. THE WOODPECKER (Climbing) . . 70 31. THE ORIGIN OF THE WOODPECKER . .73 32. THE DUCK (Swimming) ...... 76 33. THE HEN (Scratching) .... .78 34. THE SNIPE (Wading) ... .81 35. JACK AND THE OSTRICH (Running) . . . 83 36. THE OWL (Prey) ..... . 87 37. THE PIGEON AND THE OWL (Poetry) . . .90 ANIMALS. 38. THE FROGS' EGGS . ...... 92 39. FROGS AND TOADS ........ 94 40. THE TURTLES ........ 96 SPRING, SPRING. 1. PUSSY WILLOW. A LL winter long Mother Nature had sent her ** winds to rock the babies' cradles. Back and forth they had rocked, lulling the baby buds to sleep. Mother Nature did not want them to waken, for Jack Frost was king outside. She feared that her babies would freeze. In the fall she had tucked them up snugly and given them a warm coverlet to keep out the cold. So the baby buds had slept soundly all winter. At last it was time to awaken. Mother Nature sent her March winds to rouse the little buds. There was another king of the air. The beautiful golden sun was king now. Pussy Willozv. Mother Nature knew that the new king loved the babies. He would help them to grow large and strong. She told this king where the children were, and asked him to waken them. So one bright morning, the king sends down his warm rays. They tap on the brown covers; they send the sap up into the buds. Soon Mother Nature hears calls from the cradles. She looks and finds that her babies are stirring. How glad she is ! Soon the little pussies ask, " May we come out ? " " Yes," says Mother Nature, " if you will wear your fur hoods. It is very cold out here." Some of the buds wish to go with nothing on their heads, but at last they all put on their gray pussy hoods and come out. At night it is so cold that they are very glad they wore them. What a time they have rocking on the brown branches. Up and down, here and there, they rock in the bright sunshine. How many brothers and sisters there are ! King Sun is a good friend to them. He helps them every day to grow longer and longer. These pussies are called catkins. 2. PUSSY WILLOW. ! you pussy willow, Pretty little thing, Coming in the sunshine Of the merry spring. Tell me, tell me, pussy ! For I want to know, Where it is you come from, How it is you grow." " Now, my little children, If you look at me And my little sisters, I am sure you '11 see Tiny little houses, Out of which we peep, When we first are waking From our winter's sleep. " As the days grow milder Out we put our heads, And we lightly move us In our little beds ; 5 Pussy Willow. And when warmer breezes Of the springtime blow, Then we little pussies All to catkins grow." Elinor Smith's Songs and Games for Little Ones. OLIVER DITSON, Publ. 3. THE LILAC TWIG. T^HE little lilac buds had been * waiting a long time for Mr. Southwind. Mother Nature had told the buds that when Mr. Southwind came along, they might come out. All winter, these little buds had been kept warm. They had warm brown scales, which kept out the cold. These scales turn into leaves, but they were hardened to protect the buds. After Mr. Southwind came, the buds began to swell. They grew larger and larger. They unfolded, and the green leaves came out. What do you think was in some of the buds with the leaves ? A flower bud. One bud grew on one side of the twig, and another grew just across or opposite. So we say that the lilac buds grow opposite. Do all buds grow in this way ? The lilac has two buds at the end of the twig. The twig, on which these buds grew, had a light 8 The Lilac Twig. brown coat outside. Inside this brown coat was a green one. Then there was a third coat, which was white. The brown coat, with its linings of green and white, made the bark of the twig. Do you know what was inside these coats? There was the hard wood, and in the center, the soft pith. There were many little white spots on the brown coat. Through these tiny openings, the twig gets some air. They are called breathing pores. 4. THE LIMA BEAN. IV AY name is Lima Bean. I have come to show you what my kind old mother has done for me. She has given me a heavy white coat to keep me warm. If you soak me in water, you will find a pretty ruffle around my coat. If you pull this coat off, I shall break 'into two pieces. These pieces are my two seed-leaves. There is sweet food packed in them. There is so much of it, that I make good food for man. I need food, just as you do. You have to get and cook your food. I do not have to move to get mine. My food is used to help the stem, the leaves, and the root of the plant to grow. You will see a little white stem and two leaflets on one of my seed-leaves. These little leaflets are darker than my seed-leaves. Don't you think they are a queer color for leaflets ? I wonder if you can tell why they are not green. If a bean is put into the ground, the dampness of the earth gets into it. This makes the seed swell and the coat burst. IO The Lima Bean. Then out comes a little root which pushes down into the ground. Do you know why the root comes first? Soon a little stalk comes out of the seed. This shoots upward, carrying the seed-leaves with it. When they are out of the ground, the seed-leaves turn green. But when they have given the plant the food it needs, they wither and fall off. The seed-leaves have helped the plant to grow much faster and stronger than it could have done with- out them. 5. THE HORSE-CHESTNUT TWIG. EORGE, do you know who I am ? " " Yes," answered George, " you are a horse- chestnut twig. Where did you come from ? " " My mother is a large horse-chestnut tree," { said the twig. " She is very proud of her children ^ in the springtime. They look so pretty in their green, white, and pink dresses." " I have been looking at your buds," said George, " and I think you have been well cared for." " Yes, all the buds have thick scales. When the weather gets warm enough, the bud pushes the scales apart. Have you noticed that a varnish is spread over all the scales ? " " Yes," answered George, "what is the use of this varnish ? " " The varnish fills up all the cracks. It helps to keep us warm, and keeps out the bugs and worms. If you should pick off the varnish and scales of one of the buds in the winter, it would die." " I have never thought of that," said George. " Thank you, little twig, for telling me." 12 77/6' Horse-Chestnut Twig. " If you look at me," said the twig, " you will find the leaf scars. These mark the places where the leaves were last year, and on these little scars you will find tiny dots. These will tell you the number of leaflets which made up the large leaf. Some have five, and some seven." " What are those little rings around you ? " asked George. " They show how much I have grown each year," answered the twig. " I hope I am not tiring you, little twig, but I have one more question that I should like to ask." " If I can, I shall be glad to answer it," said the twig. " Where are your leaf and flower buds ? " " Under my brown coat are my tiny little leaflets, all wrapped in warm cotton, waiting for spring. In between the leaflets, my flower bud is hidden. When the sun has helped to open my big leaf bud, the flower will come out in beau- tiful pink and white blossoms." " Thank you," said George, " I am so glad I had this talk with you." 6. THE ELDERBERRY BUDS. " TJOW warm the sunshine is! " exclaimed a little bud on an elderberry twig. " Yes," answered her twin sister, " I believe spring has come at last. How glad I am ! Now we can have a peep at the world." " How long the winter has been ! " said the first little bud. " I am glad we live op- posite. Let us open our doors, little sisters." " No wonder we were warm all winter. See how well we have been cared for, with these thick walls to keep out the cold." " Oh, sister," said the first bud, "here is a place just below me where a leaf grew last summer." " I have one. They are leaf scars. Our twig has dots and rings on it, too." " I have leaves and a flower bud," said the first bud. " The flower bud is made up of many little buds. It is green now, but a little later there will be many white blossoms." " I have no flower buds in my house," said another. 14 The Elderberry Buds. " Some of the buds have leaves. Others have both flower buds and leaves," said one of the twins. " Does any one know what comes after the flowers ? " asked the first bud. . " I do," answered a robin near by. " A berry grows where you see each little flower. For some time these berries are green. The warm sunshine helps to ripen them." When the berries are ripe, the bushes are very beautiful with their loads of red fruit. The berries of some elderberry bushes are black. What a feast the birds have when these berries are ripe ! But the birds do not get them all ; people gather many of the berries to make them into sauce and pies. 7. THE BEAN PLANT. VfOU see the baby bean has wakened and been hard at work. We can see the roots, stem, and leaves very plainly now. Its seed-leaves have turned brown and fallen, for they are no longer needed. This little plant must eat, drink, and breathe, just as you or I must. The roots, stem, and leaves do this work. The poor roots work very hard. They reach their slender fingers about for food. They have to bring water from the ground for the whole plant. This is no easy task, for the plant is very thirsty and seems to have no mercy upon the poor roots. Another great duty of the roots is to hold the plant firmly in the ground. If anything should destroy the roots, the little plant would die. The stem carries the food and water to the leaves and flowers. It is very careful of this food or sap. 'S 1 6 The Bean Plant. The leaves have two great duties, to eat and to breathe. How do you suppose the leaf does this eating and breathing? Of course, you say it must have a mouth. It has not one mouth only, but hundreds of mouths. You cannot see these mouths without a microscope. Most of them are on the underside of the leaf. Have you ever thought how much comes from a single bean ? You put a bean into the ground. A vine grows from it. It blossoms. Then come the pods, and in the pods are beans like the one you planted. 8. THE STRAW, THE COAL, AND THE BEAN. upon a time, there was an old woman who lived in a village. One day she went into her garden to gather some beans for her dinner. She had a good fire, but to make it burn more quickly, she threw on a handful of straw. As she threw the beans into the pot to boil, one of them fell on the floor not far from a wisp of straw which was lying near. Suddenly a glowing coal bounded out of the fire and fell close to them. They both started away, and exclaimed, " Dear friend, don't come near me till you are cooler. What brings you out here ? " " Oh," replied the coal, " the heat made me so strong that I was able to bound from the fire. Had I not done so, my death would have been certain, and I should have been burned to ashes by this time." "Then," said the bean, "I have also escaped being scalded to death, for had the old woman put me in the pot with my comrades, I should have been boiled to broth." 1 8 The Straw, The Coal, and The Bean. " I might have been burned," said the straw, " for all my brothers were pushed into the fire and smoke by the old woman. She packed sixty of us in a bundle, but I slipped through her fingers." " Well, now, what shall we do with ourselves ? " asked the coal. " I think," answered the bean, " we may as well travel away together to some more friendly coun- try." The two others agreed to this, so they started on their journey. After traveling a little distance, they came to a stream over which there was no bridge. They were puzzled to know how to get over to the other side. Then the straw said, " I will lay myself across the stream, so that you two can step over me, as if I were a bridge." So the straw stretched himself from one shore to the other. The coal tripped out quite boldly on the newly-built bridge. But when he reached the mid- dle of the stream and heard the water rushing under him, he was frightened. He stood still and dared not move a step farther. Then a sad thing happened. The straw was scorched in the middle by the heat still in the coal. It broke in two from the weight of the coal and fell The Straw, The Coal, and The Bean. 19 into the brook. The coal, with a hiss, slid after it into the water. The bean had stayed behind on the shore. When she saw what had happened, she laughed so hard that she burst. She would have been worse off than her com- rades had not a tailor come to rest by the brook. He noticed the bean, and, being a kind-hearted man, he took a needle and thread out of his pocket. Taking up the bean, he sewed her together. She thanked him very much. He had only black thread with which to sew the bean, so ever since that time some beans have a black mark down their backs. From Grimm's Fairy Tales. 9. THE PEA VINE. OOME time ago I was a little round pea. I had a coat and a baby plant that was fast asleep inside the seed-leaves. I was put into the ground, and strange _ things happened to me. ^ I am held in the ground by my roots. They are not so large now as they will be after awhile, for now they have to hold and * feed a small plant. While they are traveling under the ground, my roots gather food for me. Perhaps you will wonder what has become of the food that was stored in my seed- leaves. Can you not guess ? , Did I hear some one say that I ate it? Yes, that is just what I did. I had just enough food given to me to keep me alive till my roots could The Pea Vine. 21 reach out and gather it from the earth, and the leaves from the air. They have done good work, too, for you see how strong and healthy I look. My leaves are heavy, and the stem is not strong enough to hold them up. I have some little tendrils which help to hold up the vine. A voice said to the little tendrils, " Just as soon as you come to anything around which you can twist, do so. In this way, even if you are little, you can help your plant." The little tendrils were very obedient, and so anxious to help that they began to twist around some dried twigs that the gardener had put there for me. When the pods have grown, they will hold many peas sitting in a row. Then the tendrils will have to hold up a heavy load. But they will twist around the twigs so many times that the pea pods will be quite safe. 10. THE PEA BLOSSOM. HPHERE were five peas in one shell. They were green, and the shell was green, and they thought all the world was green. The shell t grew and the peas grew, all sitting in a row. The sun shone and warmed the shell, and the rain made it clear and trans- parent. "Are we to sit here forever?" asked one. "I'm afraid we shall become hard. It seems to me there must be something outside. I am sure of it." Weeks went by; the peas became yellow, and the shell turned yellow. " All the world 's turning yellow," said they ; and they thought it was true. Suddenly they felt a tug at the shell. The shell was torn off by some one's 'hands, and then put into the pocket of a jacket with other shells. " Now we shall soon be opened ! " they said. That is just what they were waiting for. " I should like to know who of us will travel the farthest ! " said the smallest of the five. The Pea Blossom. 23 " We shall soon know," said the eldest. " What is to be will be." " Crack ! " the pod burst, and the five peas rolled out into the bright sunshine. There they lay in a little boy's hand. He said they were fine for his peashooter, and he put one in and shot it out. " Now I 'm flying out into the wide world ; catch me if you can ! " and the first was gone. " I shall fly straight into the sun," said the second. " We '11 go to sleep wherever we go," said the next two. They were put into the peashooter, and, as they were shot out, said, " We shall go farthest." " What is to happen will happen ! " said the last. As he was shot out, he flew against an old board under a garret window. Here was a crack filled with moss. The moss closed around him, making a soft bed. In the garret there lived a poor woman who went out in the daytime to clean stoves and to do hard work. She worked very hard, but she was still poor. Her sick daughter lived in the garret. This daughter was very weak, and for a whole year had kept her bed. This made her mother very sad. 24 The Pea Blossom. The poor girl lay quiet all day long, while her mother went out to earn money. It was spring. One morning as the mother was starting out, the sick girl looked through the lowest pane of the window. " What is that green thing that looks in at the window ? See, it is moving in the wind." The mother stepped to the window and opened it. " Oh ! " said she, " that is a little pea which has taken root here. See, it is putting out its leaves. How could it get into the crack? Here is a little garden you can watch." The sick girl's bed was moved nearer to the window, so she could see the growing pea vine. When the mother came home in the evening, the sick child said, " Mother, I think I shall get well. The sun shone in to-day very warm. The little pea vine is growing beautifully. I shall get better and go out into the warm sunshine." The mother hoped this might be true, but she did not believe it would be so. She put a stick into the ground, so that the wind might not break the vine. Then she tied a piece of string to the window-sill and the upper part of window. This was to give the pea vine something around which it could twine. The Pea Blossom. 25 It seemed as if one could see it grow every day. One day the mother said, " Here is a flower coming." This made her very happy. She remembered that for some days her sick child had seemed brighter and happier. She had sat up in bed with- out her mother's help. The child's eyes sparkled with delight when she saw the little flower. A week later, the little girl sat up for a whole hour. She was very happy as she sat there in the warm sunshine. The window was opened, and just outside was a lovely p.ea blossom. The sick girl bent down and gently kissed the pretty flower. " The Heavenly Father has planted the pea and helped it to grow," said the happy mother. " It is a joy to you and to me." But how about the other peas? The one that said, " Catch me if you can," as he flew out into the wide world, found a home in a pigeon's crop. The two lazy ones were also eaten by pigeons. The fourth, who wanted to go up into the sun, fell into the sink. It lay there for weeks and weeks, and swelled until it was very large. 26 The Pea Blossom. " I am growing beautifully fat," said the pea. " I shall burst at last, and I don't think any pea could do more than that. I am the most wonderful of all the peas that were in the shell." But the girl stood at the garret window, with bright eyes and the rosy hue of health on her cheek. She folded her thin hands over the pea blossom and thanked heaven for it. Adapted from Hans Andersen. 11. A LAUGHING CHORUS. OH, such a commotion under the ground When March called, " Ho, there ! ho ! " Such spreading of rootlets far and wide, Such whispering to and fro. And, "Are you ready?" the Snow-drop asked, " 'T is time to start, you know." " Almost, my dear," the Scilla replied ; " I '11 follow as soon as you go." Then " Ha ! ha ! ha ! " a chorus came Of laughter soft and low From the millions of flowers under the ground Yes millions beginning to grow. " I '11 promise my blossoms," the Crocus said, " When I hear the bluebirds sing." And straight thereafter, Narcissus cried, " My silver and gold I '11 bring." " And ere they are dulled," another spoke, " The Hyacinth bells shall ring," And the Violet only murmured, " I'm here," And sweet grew the air of spring. 28 A LaugJiing Chorus. Then, " Ha ! ha ! ha ! " a chorus came Of laughter soft and low From the millions of flowers under the ground Yes millions beginning to grow. Oh, the pretty, brave things ! through the coldest days, Imprisoned in walls of brown, They never lost heart though the blast shrieked loud, And the sleet and the hail came down ; But patiently each wrought her beautiful dress, Or fashioned her beautiful crown ; And now they are coming to brighten the world, Still shadowed by winter's frown ; And well may they cheerily laugh, " Ha ! ha ! " In a chorus soft and low, The million of flowers hid under the ground - Yes millions beginning to grow. Emerson's Evolution of Expression. 12. MOTHER NATURE'S BABY FERNS. T AST autumn, when Jack Frost killed the mother *-* fern, the poor little babies were much afraid. But some little snow-flakes came fluttering down from the sky and covered them with a warm blanket ; and so they went to sleep. They slept all through the long cold winter, and Jack Frost could not reach them. Sometimes, in their dreams, they thought they heard old Northwind whistling over their heads. They did not care for that ; the nice, white coverlet kept them so warm. About the first of April, they were wakened by hearing voices all around them. A sweet, old voice was saying, " Come, my dar- lings, it is time for you to get up." Then such a scampering as there was ; little flowers, grasses, and the baby ferns were all getting ready. Mother Nature thought the ferns had better wrap up well, because some days the clouds might cover the sun, and then they would be very cold with old Mother Nature s Baby Ferns. Northwind for a playfellow. What do you think she gave them ? Shall I tell you ? She gave them little fur hoods. They do not throw off these hoods the first warm day, but slip them back just a little at a time. They are afraid that old Jack Frost will catch them. Old Mother Nature knows what a naughty fellow he is, so she told them just what to do. When the sun has warmed the ground and air, they will help old Mother Nature make her woods beautiful. 13. MARSH MARIGOLD. \AfHAT do you think the flowers did? I don't * " believe you could guess, if you were to try a week ; so I shall have to tell you. They gave a party. All the early flowers were invited, and they did such queer things ! Miss Anemone had never seen Miss Marsh Marigold before, and she asked her to tell a short story about herself. " Miss Anemone," said Miss Marsh Marigold, "my home is in a marsh. My good mother put me there that I might have plenty to drink, for I need a great deal of water. " My home is always merry with music. Who do you think make all this music? No, it is not the birds alone. They sing in the morning, and Mr. Frog sings all the evening. " When the warm sun- shine called me, I sent up a strong, thick stem, with 32 Marsh Marigold. smaller stems growing from it. The stems are not all alike. Some are called flower-stalks, and they are grooved. The others are the leaf-stalks. The leaf-stalks are not like the flower-stalks, for they have only one wide groove on one side. " Little friend, if you are not tired I will tell you about my leaves. You see that I have some large leaves and some smaller ones. The smaller ones grow on the flower-stalks, and their stem is short. " All my leaves are green, but they are darker on the upper side. They have no hairs on them as yours have v little Hepatica. They are very smooth." As she said this, Miss Marigold turned to Miss Hepatica, who was standing close by. Then look- ing around at the other flowers, who had also drawn near to listen, she said : " I have something in my leaf which you all have. Can you guess what it is ? " " I know," cried little Hepatica. " Then don't tell the rest," said Miss Marigold ; " see if they can find out. I have a great many of them. They spread in my leaf, and carry food all over it." " I know ! I know ! " cried several voices ; " they are veins." THE MARSH MARIGOLD- Marsli Marigold. 33, " Yes," said Miss Marsh Marigold, " you are right. These veins start from the end of the leaf-stalk, and carry food to all parts. See how they divide again and again into veinlets ! " Do you not think my flowers are shaped like a saucer? Some of them are cup-shaped. " There are five sepals in most of my flowers. The inside of the sepals is golden, but the outside of each is a pale green. Do you see how these sepals lap? " I have many golden stamens, and some of my powder boxes have opened and let out the pollen. I saw little pollen fairies, dressed in gold, sailing away with the wind. They seemed so happy to be free. " Then there are my pistils. They hold the seed boxes. Some of the flowers have five pistils; some six, and some even more. " These little pistils are golden at the top, but below they are pale green. They are shorter and thicker than some of the pistils you have seen." " Thank you," said Miss Anemone ; " you were very kind to tell me so much about yourself." " I am very glad if I have given you pleasure," said Miss Marsh Marigold. 14. MAY. ORETTY little violets, waking from your sleep, Fragrant little blossoms just about to peep, Would you know the reason all the world is gay ? Listen to the Bobolink, telling you 't is May. Little ferns and grasses, all so green and bright, Purple clover nodding, daisy fresh and white, Would you know the reason all the world is gay? Listen to the Bobolink, telling you 't is May. Darling little warblers, coming in the spring, Would you know the reason that you love to sing? Hear the merry children shouting at their play, " Listen to the Bobolink, telling you 't is May ! " Elinor Smith's Songs and Games for Little Ones. OLIVER DITSON, Publ. 15. THE VIOLET. A PURPLE violet, with her sisters, lived out in ^^ the woods under an oak tree. The violet had just unfolded her petals, and was very happy to be in the beautiful woods. The oak tree kept the hot sun from her head and let in, only now and then, a sunbeam to warm her when the wind was cold. Day by day, the little violet grew larger and taller, and the bees came to get her honey. They told her stories of the world outside, and she wished she could visit it. The violet could see 35 The Violet. the children running to and fro. They laughed so merrily, she wondered what they were doing. One morning the violet knew all about it, for a little girl, with some of her friends, ran up to her and cried, " Oh, what lovely purple violets for my May basket ! " Then away went the little blue violet, held tightly in the little girl's hand. "Oh!" cried the little girl, "this pretty flower wears a purple bonnet. The five purple petals make this bonnet. It wears a collar of five green sepals." " The lower petal has a spur or honey bag," said another. " I think the bees that visit the violet could tell you about the honey bag. I have heard that bees pay for all the honey they take. They do not know it, and it is done in a queer way." " Yes," said the little girl, " the bee thrusts his head into the flower to reach the honey bag. He brushes against the pollen boxes, and some of the pollen sticks to him. Then, when he flies to the next flower, he rubs the pollen off on its knob. Do you know of what use this pollen is to the flower?" The Violet. 37 " I have been told that seeds are much stronger and better when they can get the pollen-dust from another plant of the same kind," answered one of her friends. " This is done by insects flying from one flower to another and carrying the pollen on their legs and bodies." " Are the white and yellow violets your cousins little violet ? " asked one of the girls. " Yes," answered the violet. " I am glad you are going to take me with you, for now I can see the beautiful world that the bees have told me about." Before the violet had gone very far, the little girl dropped her on the ground, and she lay there a long time in the hot sun. " If some kind person would only pick me up and carry me home," she sighed. Just as she said this, a little boy who was passing said, " Oh, here is a poor violet that some one has left in the hot sun to die." And he picked her up and took her to his home. Then the little violet was again happy in a pretty vase in the little boy's room. 16. THE YELLOW VIOLET. A \ J HEN beechen buds begin to swell, And woods the bluebird's warble know, The yellow violet's modest bell Peeps from the last year's leaves below. Ere russet fields their green resume, Sweet flower, I love, in forest bare, To meet thee, when thy faint perfume Alone is in the virgin air. Of all her train, the hands of spring First plant thee in the watery mould, And I have seen thee blossoming Beside the snow-bank's edges cold. Thy parent sun, who bade thee view Pale skies, and chilling moisture sip, Has bathed thee in his own bright hue, And streaked with jet thy glowing lip. Yet slight thy form, and low thy seat, And earthward bent thy gentle eye, Unapt the passing view to meet, When loftier flowers are flaunting nigh. 38 The Yellow Violet. 39 Oft, in the sunless April day, Thy early smile has stayed my walk, But midst the gorgeous blooms of May, I passed thee on thy humble stalk. So they, who climb to wealth, forget The friends in darker fortunes tried. I copied them but I regret That I should ape the ways of pride. And when again the genial hour Awakes the painted tribes of light, I'll not o'erlook the modest flower That made the woods of April bright. WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT. 17. HEPATICA STORY. TN the autumn, Mother Nature * gave little Miss Hepatica to her nurse to be cared for and watched while Miss Hepatica slept all winter. The nurse's name was Miss Under- ground Stem. In the spring, Miss Hepatica was awakened by her playmate, Robin Red Breast, who called merrily to her with his " Cheer-up, Cheer, Cheer ! " Miss Hepatica was in a hurry, so Nurse Under- ground Stem sent servants in all directions through the ground to get the food and clothing which she would need in her upward journey. It was still very cold above ground, and Miss Hepatica would need to be very strong and warmly wrapped, so that she would not take cold. Nurse Underground Stem gave her a warm woolly dress and a hood which was tightly fastened, so that the cold March wind could not blow it off. When Miss Hepatica had enough food to keep her alive and clothes to keep her warm in the Hepatic a Story. 41 cold upper world, Nurse Underground Stem helped her push the earth aside. At last her pretty little head was above ground. The sun warmed the ground, and the April rains came and helped her grow. Robin Red Breast sang cheerily from a tree near by. Very soon she found her hood too warm, so she unfastened it and let it fall back. The sun and rain were very good friends to her. She opened her little blue eyes to see her old friends, Robin Red Breast and Old Oak Tree. She nodded to all who passed, she was so happy to see them after her long sleep. 18. HEPATICA. A \T HEN April awakens the blossom folk, " And bluebirds are on the wing, Hepatica muffled in downy cloak, Hastens to greet the spring. Careless of cold when the northwind blows, Glad when the sun shines down, She opens her wrap, and smiling, shows Her dainty lavender gown. Her sisters are robed in pink, and some Are in royal purple dressed, And over the hills and fields they come, To welcome the darling guest. The children laugh as they pick the flowers, And the happy robins sing ; For, blooming in chill and leafless bowers, Hepatica means the spring. ANNA PRATT. 19. THE GARY TREE. TN 1832, Alice Gary was twelve years old, and her sister Phoebe only eight. One day as these little girls were returning home from school, they found a small tree which a farmer had dug up and thrown into the road. One of them picked it up and said to the other, " Let us plant it." These happy children ran to the opposite side of the road, and with sticks they dug up the earth. In the hole thus made, they placed the little tree. They threw the earth around it with their little hands, and pressed it down with their tiny feet. How they watched that tree to see if it were growing ; and how they clapped their hands when they saw the buds start and the leaves begin to form ! They were happy all through the summer days watching it. When old Jack Frost and King Winter came, how they feared these rough fellows might kill it ; and when the longed-for spring came, 44 The Gary Tree. with what feelings of hope and fear did they go to find their tree ! When these two girls grew to be women, they moved to New York city, but they never returned to their old home without paying the tree a visit. They seemed to think as much of it as of their old friends. That tree is now a large and beautiful syca- more. It is in the state of Ohio, and the people for miles around tell visitors how the sycamore was planted. 20. WHAT KATE HEARD THE FLOWERS SAY. T ITTLE Kate went out into the woods one sunny May afternoon to pick some flowers. She had gone from flower to flower, gathering them until her basket was full. At last, she had walked a long way, and was very tired. Setting her basket down beside her, she lay down to rest. In a few moments she heard soft music, and, listening closely, she found the sweet tones came from the basket beside her. The violets were saying, " ' We are as sweet as the roses and blue as the skies,' and we live in a soft mossy dell. The bees come and gather sweet honey from us." " We," laughed the anemone, " live where we can frolic in the gentle breezes, and, because we love the wind, some people call us Wind Flowers." The columbines said, " We live in that pleasant grove at the top of the hill. Our red and yellow dresses show very plainly above the green plants around us, and the children gather us in great 46 What Kate Heard the Flowers Say. bunches. The bees make us many visits, for we have five storehouses of sweet honey for them." The bellworts now spoke in their bell-like tones : " We are wood flowers too, and our yellow bells hang ringing all day long. If it were not for our many leaves, which shut in the sound a little, I fear the other flowers would think us very noisy." " Let us wake up the little girl now, for we are thirsty and need some water." Kate sprang up as the bellwort rang. She had not been asleep, but had heard every word. How glad she was to have heard the flowers talk ! THE TRILLIUM. 21. THE TRILLIUM. HPHIS queer flower is sometimes called the wake * robin. It grows in shady places ; sometimes you may find it in damp ones. Often its friend, the marsh marigold, is found but a short distance from it. Its long green stem is round and smooth. Three large dark green leaves are at the top of the stem. The flower stem does not always grow straight up, but curves towards one side, so that the flower is often hidden by the leaves. Most of the flowers you have studied have had five sepals. This flower has only three. Each is a light green, and has a pointed apex. f s These sepals stand out as straight as soldiers. The three curved petals are snowy white, and, as they grow old, they wither. This flower has fewer stamens than the earliest flowers of May, but they are very large. The pollen box is also different in shape, being very long. 47 48 The Trilliiun. The pistil is the queerest of all the parts, being shaped like a vase. It is white, and has three little horns curving out at the top. I wonder if any of the children have discovered why this flower is called a trillium ? It is tri-leaved, tri-petaled, tri-everything. 22. THE DANDELION. H, Jessie!" said Emma, "look at this dear, little dandelion. It is the first one I have seen." " Yes," said Jessie, " I think it is very beautiful, but in a short time there will be so many of its brothers and sisters that I fear you will not care for it." " You are wrong, Jessie. If you look closely, I am sure you will think as I do, that it is a very beautiful flower. Its long slender leaves form a rosette on the ground. Mamma often has us 5