SEPTEMBER.
PLANT LIFE.
General Work for Autumn Months.—Study the storage of food in twigs, underground stems, bulbs, etc. (Chaps. [IV]. and [V].); collect good specimens of leaves showing autumn colours, observe the phenomena of leaf-fall and the formation of vegetable mould, and notice the order in which forest trees become leafless (Chaps. [IV]. and [VIII].). Study the development and structure of fruits, and the methods of dispersal of seeds ([Chap. IX.]). Make collections of dry fruits ([Chap. IX.]), and of the “seed” of useful and injurious grasses ([Chap. VII.]).
Plants usually in flower.—Shepherd’s purse, buttercup, meadow vetchling, red clover, white clover, blackberry, hedge parsley, water dropwort, daisy, dandelion, thistle, foxglove, speedwell, snapdragon, musk, mint, red deadnettle, white deadnettle, slender foxtail, annual meadow grass, and others.
Ash and horse chestnut leaves fall.
Fruits of apple, pear, plum, blackberry, and other plants are ripe.
Corn.—Wheat-sowing begins.
Fungi.— Mushrooms and toadstools may be found.
ANIMAL LIFE.
General Work for Autumn Months.—Study the various methods by which animals prepare for the winter: e.g. migration of birds, hibernation of bats, frogs, insects, etc.; change of colour or thickness of coat, storage of food, etc.
Birds.—Swallows and house-martins congregate. Sand-martins and nightingales depart. Rooks go into winter quarters. Young song-birds may be heard learning to sing.
Insects.—Moths may be taken on ivy blossoms, etc. Eggs of cabbage-white butterflies may be found. Caterpillars are mostly full-fed and ready to pupate. Pupae of vapourer moth may be found.