At least one journey should be given, in the autumn, to the study of the dispersion of fruits and seeds. The pupils should provide themselves with empty match-boxes or chip pill-boxes. In this ramble the class may with advantage be divided into four groups. Group A will collect examples of fruits and seeds which are dispersed by the wind; Group B, of fruits which by means of hooks or otherwise become attached to the hides of grazing animals, and are carried far from the place where they grow; Group C will collect fruits which tempt animals to eat them for the sake of sweet pulp (in these cases the pupils should find out a how the fruit is made conspicuous, b how the seeds themselves are protected from being injured by the animals); while Group D will search for specimens of plants which sow their own seeds.
There still remains abundant material for study in this walk, and mention only can be made of the sticklebacks, frog-spawn, snails, caddis-worms, dragon fly larvae, blood-worms—of the “things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts”—which have been found in the river, ponds, and wells along our route, and have been used to stock the aquarium; of the rabbits and birds; of the nests of ants and wild bees and wasps; of a certain blackberry bush (31) rich in interesting leaves; and of a thousand and one other things which, under the guidance of a judicious leader, may well be the means of teaching children to see what they look at and to think about what they see. For this is the first and last object of the school journey.
MONTHLY NATURE CALENDAR.[40]
JANUARY.
PLANT LIFE.
General.—As in December ([p. 422]).
Plants usually in flower.—Shepherd’s purse, daisy, snowdrop, and a few others.
ANIMAL LIFE.