Lesson I.—the Eggs. [Fig. 149], a.
The teacher, having found the egg-mass, should show it to the pupils and let them, during play hours, collect some for themselves. Say that they are eggs, but explain no further. Get the children to examine the egg-masses; ask the following questions:
On what part of the trees are these egg-masses found?
What is the shape of the egg-mass? (Bring out the fact that they look like a portion of the twig swollen or budded.)
What is the color of the egg-mass?
Is there much difference in color between the egg-mass and the branch?
Has this similarity in color any use? (Develop the idea that the shape and the color of the egg-mass make it resemble the twig so closely as to hide it from birds or any animal that would be likely to eat the eggs.)
Does the egg-mass shine?
Why does it shine? Answer. Because there is a coat of varnish around the eggs.
Why was varnish put around the eggs? (Get the answer by asking why varnish is put on wood. Varnish is put around the eggs to preserve them and to keep them dry during the rains and snows of autumn and winter.)